Lucretius on Creation and Evolution: A Commentary on de Rerum Natura, Book Five, Lines 772-1104

ISBN-13: 9780199263967 / Angielski / Twarda / 2004 / 400 str.

Gordon Campbell

Opis

Lucretius' account of the origin of life, the origin of species, and human prehistory (first century BC) is the longest and most detailed account extant from the ancient world. It is a mechanistic theory that does away with the need for any divine design, and has been seen as a forerunner of Darwin's theory of evolution. This commentary seeks to locate Lucretius in both the ancient and modern contexts. The recent revival of creationism makes this study particularly relevant to contemporary debate, and indeed, many of the central questions posed by creationists are those Lucretius attempts to answer.

Recenzje

Gordon Campbell's stylish commentary...proves a success. The strength of Campbell's commentary lies in his eagerness to view Lucretius' poem through a fresh prism. The result is a scrupulous analysis and a stimulating interpretation. Certainly this book, with its distinctive personal color, constitutes a major contribution to Lucretian scholarship.

O autorze

Gordon Campbell is Lecturer in Ancient Classics at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth