The Nature of Things
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Lucretius' poem On the Nature of Things combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of the greatest poetry ever written. With intense moral fervour he demonstrates to humanity that in death there is nothing to fear since the soul is mortal, and the world and everything in it is governed by the mechanical laws of nature and not by gods; and that by believing this men can live in peace of mind and happiness. He bases this on the atomic theory expounded by the Greek philosopher Epicurus, and continues with an examination of sensation, sex, cosmology, meteorology, and geology, all of these subjects made more attractive by the poetry with which he illustrates them.
Customer Reviews
De rerum natura
I studied Latin at school for matriculation but am reading this in English which flows like honey. As a medical practitioner trained in scientific method I am in awe of Lucretius who came to my attention when I read The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt. Although I have not read Lucretius in the original (an ambition I hope to achieve if time permits) I have found this translation lovely to read as it is natural and not forced although elegant. It reminds me of Fitzgerald's translation of Homer.
I can see why this book blew away religious conservatives and their dogma. Atomic theory does not disprove God but ups the ante about our notion of the cosmos. This man was a genius.
I am learning Modern Greek having done a year of Ancient Greek at university and I read French.
I recommend this to anyone with a thirst for enlightenment and a love of literature.