Is there any logic behind the earth, air, water, fire elements or does that not mesh with modern science?

Answer 1

The logic behind the four elements was fine for it's time - but as elements go not a mesh. However they do correspond with the four phases of matter:
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Plasma

Answer 2

Earth, Air, Water, and Fire are known as classical elements. Plato and Aristotle, Greeks philosopher, first came up with the five elements, earth, air, fire, water, and aether (divine substance that makes up the heavens). Earth, air, fire, and water interchange, sort of like a cycle, while aether is on its own. The Sun keeps the cycle going. This theory was semi-scientific at the time, although now, in modern times, it has been refuted. However, his idea is logical in a sense; you can see where he was coming from and why he chose those elements instead of other things.

Each of the elements that he chose were far different from each other. Earth, the materials and objects, is not quite like air, water of fire. The air isn't quite like the other four, and you can say the same for the other elements he states. His idea that these elements go through a cycle was close to certain cycles we have today, such as the solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of matter.

Today, science has proven that there are far more elements than Aristotle thought. The Periodic Table lists all the known elements, from hydrogen, oxygen, uranium, plutonium, etc.

You can read more on the 'classical elements' through the link below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_element

But, judging by your profile, you've already found that article anyways.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Logic and modern science have no connection. Logic is what your brain can think of and connect, science is about what you can prove.

The elements are/were a way to get your head around what makes the world move. It is logic. Even makes for some great storytelling. As soon as scientific method came to town they all went overboard though they probably were the first thesis that needed testing...and failed that test.

Answer 4

Earth is a heterogeneous mixture. Air is a homogeneous mixture. Water is a compound when pure, a homogeneous mixture in nature. Fire is a mixture of gases so hot they are incandescing (glowing) kind of like stove elements glow when they get so hot.
All of the above are made of at least two or more elements from the Periodic Table. Those are the real elements.

Answer 5

Nah, This was an early attempt by human thinkers to explain the natural world. With only rudementary scientific instruments, they were only able to 'peek in the window' of science. Research done this way is like staring through a door's peephole, and , by what you see in the living room, try to deduce the square footage of the back yard. 4 elements came about to explain what they did'nt understand in the sciences.