EPICURUS. 195 



introduces the deviation arbitrarily, making some atoms decline from 

 the straight course without cause ; and he also takes <tovay from atoms, 

 without cause, that natural motion from above downwards, which he 

 himself had ascribed to all heavy bodies ; but to say that anything 

 takes place without a cause, is the most repugnant of all things to a 

 natural philosopher." 



Undoubtedly, this is the weak point in Epicurus's cosmogony ; and 

 yet, if his canon is to be depended upon, the assumption is defensible. 

 It seems, he might argue, to be contradicted by the testimony of the 

 senses, since heavy bodies, when they fall, move, as far as we can see, 

 in straight lines and parallel to one another. " But who can discern 

 that they do not deviate in the very slightest degree ?" which is all 

 that is asked. 



Thus, if not supported, the theory is at least not contradicted by 

 the senses. The support or positive testimony is found in a quarter 

 where we should little have looked for it in the freedom of the will. 

 We turn aside and alter our motions, nothing urging us thereto ; this is 

 an analogy to what is assumed of atoms, and authorises the assump- 

 tion : 



The free-born mind Free-will 



Acts or forbears, spontaneous ; its own time, accounted 



Its place, alike uncertain : these the will, 

 Doubtless, alone determines. 1 



***** 

 Hence firm maintain we, primal seeds some cause 

 Must feel of rising motion unbestowed 

 By weight, or blow reactive, whence alone 

 Upsprings this secret power by man possest : 

 Nought forming nought, as reason proves precise. 2 



Thus, these fitful deflections of atoms from the straight course are 

 inferred from, and then serve to account for, the self-originating move- 

 ments of the human will. 



When the atoms are once by this expedient brought into collision, The clashing 

 innumerable motions in all directions are produced by their mutual re- of a * oms 

 actions ; and, after infinite clashing and whirling, the^ result is the the world, 

 world we see : 



Primordial seeds 

 * * ever changing, ever changed and vext, 



(ait enim declinare atomum sine causa ; quo nihil turpius physico quam fieri sine 

 causa quidquam dicere) ; et ilium motum naturalem omnium ponderum, ut ipse 

 constituit, e regione inferiorem locum petentium, sine causa eripuit atomis. Cicero, 

 de Fin. i. 6. 



1 Declinamus item motus nee tempore certo 

 Nee regione loci certa, sed ubi ipsa tulit mens. 

 Nam dubio procul his rebus sua cuique voluntas 

 Principium dat. Lucr. ii. 259. 



2 Quare in seminibus quoque idem fateare necessest, 

 Esse aliam praeter plagas et poudera causam 

 Motibus, unde haec est nobis innata potestas | 



De ffi'lo quoniam fieri nil posse videmus. Lucr. ii. 284. 



02 



