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naraburns  nihil supernum  1yr ago (text post)   3681 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for December 11, 2022

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So, what are you reading?

I'm trying to finish Lucretius' On the Nature of Things, H. A. J. Munro's prose translation. I stopped at Book 5 (each "book" is small) last time, it got a little repetitive. It has to be one of the most profound books I have read, regardless of how much I disagree with its materialism.

This Epicurean tract distills the best of all that might resemble scientific humanism, and I felt that it revealed a lot that was hidden from view due to its unfailing self-awareness. Lucretius, you see, tells his philosophy in poetry because he intends to lessen the blow, the same way that one might sweeten an unpleasant but necessary medicine. It's a fine way to get into the aesthetics behind the humanist mind.

If you have ever doubted that atheism and materialism can be beautiful, inspiring and wise, this is essential reading.

This Epicurean tract distills the best of all that might resemble scientific humanism, and I felt that it revealed a lot that was hidden from view due to its unfailing self-awareness. Lucretius, you see, tells his philosophy in poetry because he intends to lessen the blow, the same way that one might sweeten an unpleasant but necessary medicine. It's a fine way to get into the aesthetics behind the humanist mind.

In ancient world, poetry was seen not only as the highest form of literature, but also as the best way to teach any subject, including something like astronomy or snake bite treatment.

Imagine reading your textbooks in Homeric hexameter. Time to RETVRN.

I've been meaning to read On the Nature of Things for awhile now. Having read it would you stick by the prose translation or advise looking for something else?

Munro's translation is highly regarded and I haven't had a reason to regret the choice. I tried a poem form and while it was striking it didn't keep me interested. There's just too many ideas in there, and the essay format is perfect.

I don't know what the best poem version is, but I do remember that Anthony Esolen's version was regarded well.

Still Moby Dick.

Gave up on Mishima for now, maybe some other time.

Recently read Two Arms And A Head. That was interesting. Motivational even.

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