Named for the great Greek philosopher and mathematician Zenon of Elea (494–430 B.C.). As a friend and pupil of Parmenides {see planet  (6039)}, he continued his teacher’s abstract and analytic thought, taking the theses of his opponents and refuting them by reductio ad absurdum. He tried to show that the assumption of the existence of a plurality of things in time and space carried with it more serious inconsistencies. He is especially known for the paradoxes he used for this purpose. (M 24919) _ _.