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McCarthy, Stephen (2017) Book Review: Linguistics and Lucretius - (W.H.) Shearin The Language of Atoms. Performativity and Politics in Lucretius’ De rerum natura . Pp. xvi + 210. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015. Cased, £51, US$74. ISBN: 978-0-19-020242-2. Classical Review, 67 (2). pp. 398-400. ISSN 0009-840X
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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0009840X17000695
Abstract
Epicurean philosophy is essentially therapeutic, its purpose to ease inner turmoil and promote ataraxia. As S. points out, Lucretius’ De rerum natura is often read in this way.
S. wants to investigate the links between Epicurean linguistics and performative language,
arguing that Epicureanism incorporated aspects of speech act theory long before its modern
instantiation. S. refers to J.L. Austin’s How To Do Things With Words (1962) and tries to
show how we might use elements of modern language theory as a constructive lens through
which to read Lucretius.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | LINGUISTICS AND LUCRETIUS; W.H. Shearin; The Language of Atoms; Performativity and Politics in Lucretius’ De rerum natura; ISBN: 978-0-19-020242-2; |
| Academic Unit: | Faculty of Arts,Celtic Studies and Philosophy > Research Institutes > An Foras Feasa |
| Item ID: | 20520 |
| Identification Number: | 10.1017/S0009840X17000695 |
| Depositing User: | IR Editor |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Sep 2025 13:33 |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Classical Review |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Refereed: | No |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/20520 |
| 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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