Study Questions — The Nature of Things (Book I)
1. Lucretius introduces two basic metaphysical principles: that nothing comes from nothing, and that nothing can ever be entirely destroyed. Explain the reasoning that leads him to accept these principles. In addition, comment on how the acceptance of these principles might be expected to affect the culture and society of Ancient Rome. How might the behaviors and values of people that accept these ideas be different from those that do not?
2. Lucretius spends a significant amount of time at the start of his poem praising the goddess Venus, but he later goes on to talk about the serious harm that religion can do. Assuming that he is not simply contradicting himself, how can we make sense of this apparent conflict in the text?
3. What is the problem Lucretius sees in religion? What makes it quite so bad? Does he offer any solutions or possible strategies for overcoming the trouble associated with religion?
Due March 17, 2014 by 7 pm
Word count of 200 – 300 for each question and NO PLAGIARISM.
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