One thing that I found interesting while reading chapter 8 was one of the elements that constituted the Lucretian challenge was that humans are not unique. This is interesting to me because there are thousands of people who claim we are all unique in our own ways but this states otherwise. For example the text states, “We have only to look attentively at the world around us to grasp that many of the most intense and poignant experiences of our lives are not exclusive to our species” (Page 191). This quote basically explains that none of us are unique and we are all the same. Another thing I found interesting was the idea on what the principle reasonings for unhappiness is. In the text it says “Unappeasable desire and the fear of death are the principle obstacles to human happiness, but the obstacles can be surmounted through the exercise of reason” (Page 199).
One text to world connection I made while reading this book was one of the elements that constituted the Lucretian challenge that the greatest obstacle to pleasure is not in pain but it is delusion. I relate this to today because on social media there are multiple trends going around about girls living in delusion and that is what keeps them happy/sane.
One question I still have after reading this chapter is, why is every poems key principles about the abomination to right thinking Christian orthodoxy?
