History of Science: Ancient Greeks

History of Science

• Ancient Greeks are considered the intellectual forefathers of Western thought
• Greek contributions include philosophy, drama, artistic aesthetics, geometry, and more
• Theology and accepted theories (Orthodoxy) were generally not valued in early Greek thought
• Ancient Greek society lacked a permanent priestly class imposing dogma
• Greek gods were not considered omnipotent or omniscient
• Aristotle (384-322 BCE) was a tutor to Alexander the Great
• Aristotle developed the Scala Natura (Ladder of nature)
• Aristotle’s philosophy was later adopted by the Christian West
• Aristotle established a hierarchy of living things (simple to complex)
• This hierarchy later formed the ''Great Chain of Being'' model with God at the top
• Ptolemy (fl. AD 127-145, Alexandria) was an astronomer, geographer, and mathematician
• Ptolemy's ''Ptolemaic system'' placed Earth at the center of the universe
• Ptolemy's geocentric model was widely accepted for a long time but later found error
• Greek philosophies, science, art, and literature were influential despite the label of "pagans"
• Greek curiosity was not adopted in the West until the Renaissance
• The fall of the Roman Empire (around 478 AD) introduced a period of intellectual conservatism
• Arab civilization advanced greatly in mathematics, optics, and medicine during this time
• In Europe, monasteries served as centers for study and contemplation
• The discovery of the Americas was a major event in European history, though the impact on the Americas is often analyzed
• There were several issues with the discovery, including contradictions in the biblical perspective
• The discovery that the Bible didn't address the Americas, and the different cultures, led to questions about authority and indigenous people
• This led to debates on the nature of indigenous peoples, the classification of species, understanding nature scientifically, and recognizing limitation of biblical knowledge
• European domination of the Americas caused economic growth and competition amongst countries (Spain vs. Britain)
• The Americas also became the first place to experiment with liberalism
• The new world (Americas) started a separation of science and church in knowledge of nature
• Many tried to reconcile science and religion, but ultimately science diverged from theology in understanding the natural world
• René Descartes (1596-1650) is considered the father of modern philosophy
• Descartes believed in a mathematically-based scientific view of the material world
• Descartes' ''Cogito, ergo sum'' (I think, therefore I am) emphasized a rational approach to knowledge
• It was necessary for science and religion to coexist and thus avoid conflicts, but it took time for Europe to accept evolution
• Before Darwin, the prevalent worldview was based on revealed truth from the Bible and Church doctrine
• This led to resistance toward scientific evidence that contradicted religious beliefs
• Darwin's theory of evolution significantly influenced studies in ethology (animal behavior).
• Key components of Darwin's theory relevant to ethology are variation, heredity, and differences in reproductive success

Explore the pivotal contributions of ancient Greek thinkers to Western thought. This quiz covers key figures such as Aristotle and Ptolemy and their influence on philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy. Test your knowledge of their ideas and the enduring legacy of Greek science.