Single Idea 5694

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / E. Cosmology / 2. Eternal Universe]

Full Idea

In studying the workings of nature, our starting-point will be this principle: nothing can ever be created by divine power out of nothing.

Gist of Idea

Nothing can be created by divine power out of nothing

Source

Lucretius (On the Nature of the Universe [c.60 BCE], I.152)

Book Reference

Lucretius: 'On the Nature of the Universe', ed/tr. Latham,Ronald [Penguin 1951], p.31


A Reaction

This claim seems to cry out for a bit of empiricist caution. What observation has convinced Lucretius that creation out of nothing is impossible? The early Christians switched to the view that divine creation is 'ex nihilo' - out of nothing.