Question

This philosopher often compared his ideas to bitter wormwood, which goes down easier with honey that he likened to his use of poetry. This philosopher argued that whether we have “pictured tapestry and blushing purple to lie on” or a “poor man’s blanket,” we recover from illness at the same rate. This philosopher imagined throwing a javelin at the edge of the universe to argue that space is infinite. (15[1])Empedocles likely influenced the opening to this philosopher’s most famous work, which praises the creative power of (*) Venus. We are fine with not having existed before we were born, so we should be fine with not existing after we die, according to this philosopher’s “symmetry argument.” (10[1])To explain (-5[1])how a predecessor’s theories allow (-5[1])for free will, this philosopher theorized clinamen, or the swerve of atoms. For 10 points, name this Roman Epicurean philosopher who wrote Dē rērum nātūrā. ■END■ (10[2])

Back to tossups

Buzzes

Summary