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On the Nature of Things (Great Books in Philosophy) by Carus, Titus Lucretius; Waston, John Selby (Translator) is a nonfiction available to read on EtoBox.

What is On the Nature of Things (Great Books in Philosophy) about?

Review Long poem written in Latin as De rerum natura by Lucretius which sets forth the physical theory of the Greek philosopher Epicurus. The title of Lucretius' work translates that of the chief work of Epicurus, Peri physeos (On Nature). Lucretius divided his argument into six books. Books I and II establish the main principles of the atomic universe, refute the rival theories of the pre-Socratic cosmic philosophers Heracleitus, Empedocles, and Anaxagoras, and covertly attack the Stoics, a school of moralists rivaling that of Epicurus. Book III demonstrates the atomic structure and mortality of the soul and ends with a triumphant sermon on the theme "Death is nothing to us." Book IV describes the mechanics of sense perception, thought, and certain bodily functions and condemns sexual passion. Book V describes the creation and working of the world and the celestial bodies and the evolution of life and human society. Book VI explains remarkable phenomena of the earth and sky, in particular, thunder and lightning. The poem ends with a description of the plague at Athens, a somber picture of death that contrasts with the depiction of spring and birth in the invocation to Venus with

Who reads On the Nature of Things (Great Books in Philosophy)?

It is typically read by self-directed learners exploring a subject in depth.

Common subject areas: history, science, philosophy, social sciences.

Author
Carus, Titus Lucretius; Waston, John Selby (Translator)
Publisher
Prometheus Books, Publishers
Published
1997
Language
EN
ISBN
9780594053033
Category
nonfiction
Subjects
Philosophy, Literary Fiction, Social Science
Rating
3.8 / 5 (15 ratings)
Updated
2026-03-24

Other editions & translations

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