more from Lucretius

Single Idea 5704

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 5. Infinite in Nature]

Full Idea

There can be no centre in infinity.

Gist of Idea

There can be no centre in infinity

Source

Lucretius (On the Nature of the Universe [c.60 BCE], I.1069)

Book Reference

Lucretius: 'On the Nature of the Universe', ed/tr. Latham,Ronald [Penguin 1951], p.58


A Reaction

This is highly significant, because if we can establish that the universe is infinite (as Epicurus believes), it follows that the human race cannot be at the centre of it, as the Ptolemaic/medieval view proposed.