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# Notes on the Birth of Science **Topic 1** **1. What is Science?** * A rational body of knowledge based on logical principles. * Logic (reasoning). * Principles: * Identity (something is what it is). * Contradiction (things exist that are not). * Characteristics of scientif...

# Notes on the Birth of Science **Topic 1** **1. What is Science?** * A rational body of knowledge based on logical principles. * Logic (reasoning). * Principles: * Identity (something is what it is). * Contradiction (things exist that are not). * Characteristics of scientific thought: * Rational * Materialist/Empirical: Based on observable, tangible things. * Communicative: Shared and taught. * Cumulative: Each generation builds on previous knowledge. * Constantly reviewed: Science is subject to evaluation and criticism. **2. Has science always existed?** * Science has existed since ancient times, although in the past explanations relied more on mythology instead of the scientific method. * Myths are not considered science as they lack logical and empirical characteristics. **3. Origin of Science: Greece (6th Century BC)** * The primary question: What is nature? * In this era, nature was understood as reality (all non-artificial things) and rationale. **4. Early Greek Philosophers (6th Century BC)** * Thales of Miletus: Proposes water as the fundamental substance of nature. * Anaximander: Proposed *apeiron* (the undefined or boundless) as the fundamental principle. * Anaximenes: Proposed air as the fundamental principle. * Anaxagoras: Believed everything is made of matter. He proposed that the sun and moon are not gods but rather material bodies. **5. Athens as a Cultural Center (5th Century BC)** * Freedom of thought facilitated the development of new scientific and philosophical ideas. **6. Philosophers and their Theories** * Democritus: Proposed that matter is composed of indivisible atoms. * Parmenides and Zeno: Questioned commonly accepted notions of reality and motion through paradoxes, like the arrow and the dichotomy paradoxes. * Empedocles: Founded mechanics (study of motion). He asserted that two fundamental forces, attraction ('love' or *amor*), and repulsion ('hate' or *odio*) govern movement in the universe. **Note:** The image contains handwritten notes, possibly for a class. There are different topics, potentially from different lessons. The topics might include the history of science, major eras, historical figures and their theories. Different concepts are highlighted with colors, making it easier to follow.