De rerum natura vs Physics: Which Should You Read?
Both live on shelves: Philosophy of nature, Physics, Criticism and interpretation, Early works to 1800, Science, Philosophy
De rerum natura
This is regarded as a seminal text of Epicurean science and philosophy. Epicurians discarded both the idea of immortality and the superstitious worship of wilful gods for a life of serene contentment in the available…
vs
Physics
Nearly all the works Aristotle (384-322 BCE) prepared for publication are lost; the priceless ones extant are lecture-materials, notes, and memoranda (some are spurious). They can be categorized as practical; logical;…
The verdict
- Ratings are close across the board — any is a safe pick by score.
- Physics is the quickest read — about 3 hours vs 5 for De rerum natura.
- De rerum natura has the widest readership — 14924 ratings behind its score.
How to choose
Scores by source
| De rerum natura | Physics | |
|---|---|---|
| Goodreads | 4.0 (14924) | 4.0 (4503) |
| Hardcover | — | 4.2 (4) |
| Google Books | — | 3.5 (3) |
Reception
| De rerum natura | Physics | |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | 14924 | 4503 |
| Editions | 537 | 88 |
| Film adaptations | 1 | 1 |
| Want to read | 25726 | 8417 |
| Reading it now | 1619 | — |
| Written reviews | 964 | 162 |
| Wikipedia attention | 6817 | 57210 |
| Pages | 311 | 180 |