What does the is signify in Parmenides’ response to the ontological question, ‘What is?’
Step 1: Understanding Parmenides’ ontology.
Parmenides, a pre-Socratic philosopher, proposed that “What is, is” — asserting that only Being exists and it is eternal, indivisible, and unchanging.
Step 2: Interpretation of "is".
The term "is" reflects Being — it does not come into existence, does not perish, and cannot change. Thus, it represents a unique, perfect whole, which is static and complete.