The Swerve, chapter 3
LIL 120 A – Fall 2024
Professor Cripps
2-1-Q
Student:
2 – Offer 2 Specific Details from the chapter. For each, ID/quote and add 3-8 sentences of your own explanation
Chapter 3 discusses the philosophy behind Lucretius’ poem. As a follower of the philosopher Epicurus, Lucretius thinks that the universe is made of these tiny things called “atoms” that collide to create everything in the world. He spoke about how there would be no involvement from religion, and instead of fearing the afterlife, we should live happy, pleasurable lives, making the most of it. However, a lot of religious people, especially those who were powerful, did not like this new view on life.
1 – Make 1 Connection to Self, to World, or to Text – or Extend by offering a little detail about something mentioned in the text (some light research needed to Extend)
A connection I made is how we live our lives today. In my eyes, they align very much with Lucretius’s words. Today, we mostly focus on having a fulfilled, happy life, trying not to fear the inevitable death we must face.
Q – Give us a Good Question to chew on – 1-3 sentences
Did people actively try to experiment, or try to live by Lucretius’s words when they were new? What was the church’s reaction?
