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I found it interesting how connected and impactful the ideas of Lucritcius were. Until reading this chapter, I would have never thought to make the connection that On the Nature of Things and other philosophical material could have reached let alone influence monumental figures such as Shakespeare (243). Hearing this made me rethink my whole perspective on the historical timeline of the book as it put unfamiliar names in the same society as someone who is known throughout history. This reminds me of how people forget that Cleopatra was not around for the first pyramid being built until they hear that she was closer to the release of the first phone. 

Another thing I found interesting is the intersection of science and philosophy. Specifically, I found it interesting  that Sir Issac Newton connected Lucretius’s idea of atoms to his own ideas of gravity (263). I fully believe that if a scientist nowadays was to reference a philosophical theory as a means to explain their findings they would be immediately knocked down. Perhaps this is why more modern scientists like Albert Einstein made sure that their evidence was mathematical and could be proven (265).  

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I made a personal connection to Montaigne’s initial thoughts on radishes. His quote on page 244 made me think back to my childhood farm I lived on because we would grow radishes in our large personal garden. As a kid, I would just pick the radishes up from the ground and wipe them on my shirt or pants and eat them. It became an obsession for me and I remember me eating all the radishes that we harvested because no one else really enjoyed their acquired taste. However, now, similar to how Montaigne wrote about radishes long term–I have not really gone out of my way to eat them anymore. 

Q-What other famous figures would have read On the Nature of Things? How influenced are they?