De Rerum Natura sings a poem of nature. It celebrates the regularity in the universe. A systematic universe is explicable. Seeing an unvarying world, Lucretius believes a set of natural laws dictates our world making it predictable. Every observable action occurs out of necessity from insentient natural laws. In other words, it is not created to serve a purpose or acts as a means to a favorable end. Surprisingly, the laws are few and Lucretius deduces them from empirical observation and logical thought.
Natural laws, however, appear to be secondary to Lucretius. He repeatedly emphasizes human peace and happiness takes priority. Religion fosters fears already present in humans ignorant of unknown. In Ajax, Athena says, “…One short day inclines …show more content…
Atoms are small indestructible objects; in fact, they are the smallest things in existence. They may be small but are finite in size, for if it were not so nothing would be able to grow as assembly would take forever. Furthermore, he deduces not all atoms are of the same size or shape. Some are small, others big; some are coarse, others smooth. These atoms combine to form all the things we see. Size and shape are not enough to explain the world. Atoms are also the hardest and most solid objects. Lucretius is unclear as to whether all atoms are of equal firmness, but as every atom is completely filled with no empty space within it, all atoms might have uniform rigidity. Finally, to explain the difference in hardness and softness of everyday objects, he postulates the existence of empty space, he names void.
Void is empty space. It is through which atoms move. It is not corporeal, but together they are the constituent of matter. They have contrasting extreme properties—atoms are discreet and can interact with each other, void is continuous and unable to act upon itself (whatever that might mean) and atoms. Interactions of atoms occur via collisions. Subsequently, interactions either impede or facilitate
Natural laws, however, appear to be secondary to Lucretius. He repeatedly emphasizes human peace and happiness takes priority. Religion fosters fears already present in humans ignorant of unknown. In Ajax, Athena says, “…One short day inclines …show more content…
Atoms are small indestructible objects; in fact, they are the smallest things in existence. They may be small but are finite in size, for if it were not so nothing would be able to grow as assembly would take forever. Furthermore, he deduces not all atoms are of the same size or shape. Some are small, others big; some are coarse, others smooth. These atoms combine to form all the things we see. Size and shape are not enough to explain the world. Atoms are also the hardest and most solid objects. Lucretius is unclear as to whether all atoms are of equal firmness, but as every atom is completely filled with no empty space within it, all atoms might have uniform rigidity. Finally, to explain the difference in hardness and softness of everyday objects, he postulates the existence of empty space, he names void.
Void is empty space. It is through which atoms move. It is not corporeal, but together they are the constituent of matter. They have contrasting extreme properties—atoms are discreet and can interact with each other, void is continuous and unable to act upon itself (whatever that might mean) and atoms. Interactions of atoms occur via collisions. Subsequently, interactions either impede or facilitate