Introduction

In his doctoral dissertation, Marx does not defend Epicurus against Democritus because the first sets out freedom as the formal essence of the atom, whereas the latter despaired of the necessity of all-powerful laws of nature. Nor because for Epicurus the truths of science are subordinated to the search for happiness, whereas Democritus’ desire for knowledge consoles the philosopher’s powerlessness to act in the world. He defends Epicure for discovering in the atom the origin of the movement that realises freedom in the world and thus the principle that makes the world itself a creation of freedom.