Empiricist Dogs and the Superiority of Philosophy in Lucretius’ De Rerum Natura

Lucretius uses hunting in the De Rerum Natura both to craft a model of Epicurean epistemology and to challenge his Roman audience to consider an alternative to traditional animal hunting. Dogs, representing Epicurus, Lucretius, and the reader, follow tracks to knowledge with the help of Ratio and Natura. Nets, on the other hand, are a sign of unnecessary developments that distract from superior lifestyles, and Hercules’ violent deeds are equally unnecessary in modern life. Lucretius’ philosophical and poetic manipulation of hunting encourages active philosophy students rather than a passive audience.