Lucretius and Greek philosophy

Abstract

Lucretius’ relationship with earlier, Greek philosophy is determined by two principal factors. First, he is writing his work as a committed adherent to Epicureanism. He is confident that Epicureanism gives the correct answers to major philosophical questions such as the nature of the universe, the nature of a person and of the gods, and the goal of a human life. This commitment determines his presentation of all other philosophical ideas since any philosophy which is incompatible with the Epicurean truth is by definition false. Lucretius is also convinced that Epicureanism has been comprehensively described and elaborated by Epicurus himself. There is no further philosophical inquiry to be done; Lucretius’ task is therefore expository and explanatory. He has merely to make clear the truth and make it palatable to his, as yet, uninitiated Latin audience. Any other philosophical views which appear in the work are always outlined against the background of this prejudicial Epicurean view. Alternative accounts of the world are offered as illustrations of the kinds of mistakes possible if the Epicurean truth is ignored. Second, Lucretius offers himself as a conduit and translator to Rome of Greek ideas. He is a translator not in the sense of merely rendering an original Greek text into Latin. Rather, he introduces, packages and explains Greek thought for a new audience and a new culture and time. Nor does he think it right to transmit all previous Greek philosophy to Rome. Rather, he acts as a filter of Greek thought, admitting and translating only those ideas which are conducive to the goal of understanding the universe correctly and passing over or disparaging those mistaken Greek ideas which might put obstacles in the reader’s path.