2-1-Q – Chapter 3
LIL 120 A – Fall 2024
Professor Cripps
2 – Offer 2 Specific Details from the chapter. For each, ID/quote add 3-8 sentences of your own explanation.
Page 74, paragraph 3 – Epicurus’s message on the creation of the world… Epicurus is one of the first noted philosophers to write on the account of the universe and the way of human life, by challenging the notion that tiny particles–atoms–are the elements of our reality. To Epicurus, the key idea relevant to creation is the “swerve”, which is the unpredictable deviation of these atoms. Without the swerve, atoms would fall in straight lines and nothing would ever interact, making the creation of complex structures, including life, impossible. This idea wasn’t understood, or rather agreed with, until the 19th century when John Dalton created the first application of atomic theory. And I find it inexplicable that it took so long for society to appreciate Epicurus’s research. I just wonder how revelatory it could’ve been if society had listened to Epicurus’s words–echoes of Democritus’s–back then. (What would we be today?)
“Liberated from superstition, Epicurus taught, you would be free to pursue pleasure” (pg. 76, para. 2, last sentence). Epicurus basically states that one should not devote his life praying to divinities who–even if they existed–would never answer, and it is therefore better to live a life as fulfilling as possible. The idea that human beings should be free to seek pleasure and happiness without fear of possible retribution by an entity–that may or may not exist–was revolutionary in a world dominated by theocracy. So it is of no surprise that it caused an upheaval as it challenged the authority of religious institutions, which had a strong hold over the masses. Epicurus’s philosophy throughout the ideas of morality being tied to divine commands, and rather showed humanity that they could determine what was good based on their experiences of pleasure and pain. I quite like this philosophy, as I am not religious myself, and enjoy free will to engage in activities that make me feel whole and complete, whereas I may be restricted if practicing a strict religion.
1 – Make 1 Connection to Self, to World, or to Text – or Extended by offering a little detail about something mentioned in the text (some light research needed to Extend)
Connection to World: “The statues functioned…symbols of the spirits that the books enabled readers to conjure up” (pg. 62, para. 1, sentences 7-9). In this paragraph, Greenblatt explains how the statues were used as symbols of spiritual or intellectual figures that readers could invoke through literature. To the Romans they were more than just objects of art; they represented powerful ideas, knowledge, and cultural memory that books allowed readers to access–linking the tangible with the intangible. In today’s world, Statues and symbols still hold deep meaning, representing ideologies, histories, or figures that inspire, educate, or even divide society. In modern times, books and media—whether literature, art, film, or digital content—continue to serve as tools that “conjure up” ideas, memories, and influences. We turn to these forms to connect with concepts, movements, or individuals that shape our worldviews.
Q – Give us a Good Question to chew on – 1-3 sentences
How does Greenblatt illustrate the relationship between the revival of Epicurean thought and the broader cultural shifts of the Renaissance? In what ways do these shifts challenge the prevailing beliefs of the time, and how might this historical context inform our understanding of modern perspectives on pleasure and knowledge?
Greenblatt highlights how the rediscovery of Lucretius’s On the Nature of Things provided a framework for questioning traditional views on morality, the afterlife, and the role of the divine, encouraging individuals to seek knowledge and pleasure in the material world rather than through religious principles. This shift was symbolic of a broader cultural transformation towards humanism, where the emphasis moved from divine authority to human experience and rational thought.
These shifts directly opposed the prevailing beliefs of a society heavily influenced by the Church, promoting an understanding of happiness as attainable through natural means rather than through obedience to divine will. In modern contexts, this historical backdrop informs our perspectives on pleasure and knowledge by encouraging a more earthly and experiential understanding of well-being, underscoring the value of the ability to choose, explore the world through science, and seek happiness as key parts of being human.This development in thought reflects ongoing discussions about the balance between pleasure, ethics, and the quest for understanding in modern society.
