On the Nature of Things

De: Lucretius

Narrado por: Charlton Griffin

This famous work by Lucretius is a masterpiece of didactic poetry, and it still stands today as the finest exposition of Epicurean philosophy ever written. The poem was produced in the middle of first century B.C., a period that was to witness a flowering of Latin literature unequaled for beauty and intellectual power in subsequent ages. The Latin title, De Rerum Natura, translates literally to On the Nature of Things and is meant to impress the reader with the breadth and depth of Epicurean philosophy.

The poem's scope, even by modern standards, is staggering. Lucretius peers into the secrets of nature with a kind of innocent curiosity and offers a "scientific" explanation for all sorts of phenomena: stars and planets, oceans and rivers, plant life, reproductive activities, the soul and immortality, and the nature of the gods, among others. According to Lucretius, mankind can be freed from the stifling structures of religion and superstition by studying the works of the Greek philosopher Epicurus. All it takes is the strength of character to look at the natural world in an uncompromisingly level and unemotional way, to observe and live in the world according to precepts laid down by the great Epicurus in the fourth century B.C. That being so, according to Lucretius, it will be possible for man to lay aside superstition and fear and to become as godlike as he can.

Even though humanity was driven by hungers and passions it little understood at the time, Lucretius' bold poem sought to embolden men with the self-confidence to get along in the world without recourse to myths and gods. In order to free themselves, men would have to adopt a personal code of self-responsibility that consisted of living and speaking personal truths founded on the work of Epicurus. On the Nature of Things is about the universe and how men should live in it.

Public Domain (P)2007 Audio Connoisseur

decent philosophy

Beginning through about half way was solid. lost the thread in the latter half.

A Primary Defense of Empiricism

With a bravura performance that draws you in, if you've never read this important work, this is the audiobook for you. While others love it for its defense of atheism, I love it for its defense of empiricism.

The senses faithfully serve up how the world is. The stick seems to bend in water because this is the world we live in; it is reason's job to figure out why. It could have been that the senses reported a straight stick in water, but that is not the world we live in. Huzzah for Epicurus and Lucretius!

they fixed the chapter ordering issue

this review is just to let you know that, as of writing, the chapters are now in the correct order: intros one and two, and the poem itself.

Lucretius becomes immortal!

Where does On the Nature of Things rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely one of the best.

Who was your favorite character and why?

If it were a character, I would say the poetry itself

What does Charlton Griffin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

If there were gods, and humans went to battle against them, win or lose, the story ought to be told by Charlton Griffin.

Lucretius' De Rerum Natura is a marvel of poetry and philosophy, but you have to already know your classical poetry and philosophy to really savor every drop. But with Charlton Griffin, even those unfamiliar with the materialism, empiricism, hedonism and atheism of epicureanism, will be inspired to seriously ponder these ideas and read further on.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had read this book before, but this audio version sent chills down my spine!

Any additional comments?

Do yourself and your loved ones a favor, and listen to this audiobook as you sit in front of a nice chimney fire.

Read his own words. A+

I was in the midst of reading yet another book that referenced Lucretius' On the Nature of Things and thought I should stop and read Lucretius' words for myself. WOW. This is possibly THE best book ever written. I am amazed that someone who lived more than 2000 years ago could possess such a deep and complete understanding of our universe. If you change a few words here and there and maintain an understanding that Lucretius wrote this work long before many necessary scientific tools existed, it is relevant today. It boggles the mind that Lucretius, in his own way of describing things, was able to understand entropy, atoms, evolution, superstition, eliminative materialism, philosophy of mind, evaporation, the formation of stars and planets, metabolism, genetics, deletions, and so much more. I always thought of Newton and Einstein as the smartest men to ever live. Some people say it was Aristotle. I think, without question, Lucretius was the most brilliant man to ever live, especially given the tools available and the time period in which he lived. Lucretius, without tools, knew more than many people today, with tool, know.

Prior to reading this, I read a biography of Epicurus and Epicurean philosophy. I can see why Lucretius said that Epicurus' brilliance towered over all the other brilliant men. In the end, Lucretius towers over them all.

This is a MUST READ!