Single Idea 5706

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 1. Mechanics / a. Explaining movement]

Full Idea

Atoms move themselves.

Gist of Idea

Atoms move themselves

Source

Lucretius (On the Nature of the Universe [c.60 BCE], II.133)

Book Reference

Lucretius: 'On the Nature of the Universe', ed/tr. Latham,Ronald [Penguin 1951], p.64


A Reaction

Something has to move itself, I suppose, but then that could be psuché, giving us free will (see Idea 1424). Why does Epicurus need the 'swerve' if atoms are self-movers? See Idea 5708.

Related Ideas

Idea 5708 In downward motion, atoms occasionally swerve slightly for no reason [Lucretius]