On the Nature of Things (Munro translation)
Gelesen von Pamela Nagami
Titus Lucretius Carus
(4,429 Sterne; 7 Bewertungen)
Titus Lucretius Carus (c. 99-55 BC), the author of "De Rerum Natura" or "On the Nature of Things," was a Roman poet and philosopher. The work, a didactic poem expounding the teachings of Epicurus, often rises to sublime and lyrical heights. Lucretius enjoins us to shun superstitious fears and religious rituals. The universe is governed by the laws of matter and energy. The world, like ourselves, is mortal. But the philosophic materialism of Lucretius does not impair his awestruck delight in the spectacle of the heavens, in the play of dust motes in a beam of light, in the sight of molten metals, or of the fierce breed of lions, or of horses surging from a starting gate. And above all, Lucretius is interested in his fellow human beings, who though fearful, are also the curious observers of everything around them. (Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.) (8 hr 38 min)
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Dances with Prose
(2 Sterne)
With a heavy heart, I have to say that this work is outdated. The line of reasoning without any (modern) scientific knowledge presented in this “didactic poem” was interesting but purely speculative. In my opinion, today’s learned reader will not benefit from reading this book. Yes, it does have historical significance because it illustrates the very beginnings of science, the beginnings of critical thinking, and logical deductions. This work argues that the universe is governed by the laws of physics and not by gods. The author presented many examples of empirical evidence to prove his point. I am sure it was a futile attempt by Titus Lucretius Carus to convince his colleagues to abandon their old religious beliefs and embrace science. Well, maybe not because here we are, knowing what we know, thanks to him and people like him that followed.