Chapter Lucrezio e la fisica del lavoro

Abstract

Through the analysis of book 5 of the De rerum natura, the paper reconstructs Lucretius’ explanation of the genealogy of work or labor, which is contained in his more general exposition of the history of technological development. The main point that will be defended is that the philosopher-poet is not per se against technology, for he believes that human beings are biologically endowed with creativity, or the capacity to discover crafts that can create the means for satisfying natural needs. However, Lucretius also believed that the labor must be kept under control. Crafts should be used not for amassing wealth at the expense of others, but for achieving two conditions that, according to Epicurus’ teaching, lead to the natural good of katasthematic pleasure: security and removal of pain.