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    Lucretius and the Memes of Prehistory


    Campbell, Gordon (2002) Lucretius and the Memes of Prehistory. Leeds International Classical Studies, Discussion Paper 1.

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    Abstract

    This paper examine Lucretius' use of myth and poetry, focussing on the prehistory in DRN 5.925-1457, and advances the argument that Richard Dawkins' theory of memes or "viruses of the mind" may be a useful heuristic tool. Lucretius in his mission to combat superstition uses the infectious power of mythographic poetic topoi, which usually carry messages of religious falsehood, to vaccinate the reader's mind against superstition.

    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Lucretius, Memes of prehistory
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts,Celtic Studies and Philosophy > Ancient Classics
    Item ID: 95
    Depositing User: Suzanne Redmond Maloco
    Date Deposited: 25 Apr 2003
    Journal or Publication Title: Leeds International Classical Studies, Discussion Paper 1
    Refereed: Yes
    URI:
      Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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