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How Science Was Born in 300 BC and Why It Had to Be Reborn

Jason Hayes

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Published in The Forgotten Revolution: How Science Was Born In 300 BC And Why It Had To Be Reborn

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The Birth of Science

In the 6th century BC, the Greek philosopher Thales proposed that the universe was made up of a single substance, which he called "water." This was a radical idea at the time, as most people believed that the universe was made up of a variety of different substances, such as earth, air, fire, and water.

Thales' idea was based on his observations of the natural world. He noticed that water is essential for life, and that it can change its form from a liquid to a solid to a gas. He also noticed that water is found in all parts of the universe, from the oceans to the clouds.

Thales' idea was not universally accepted, but it did inspire other philosophers to begin to think about the natural world in a new way. In the 5th century BC, the philosopher Anaximander proposed that the universe was made up of an infinite substance, which he called "the apeiron." Anaximander's idea was based on his observations of the natural world, and he believed that the apeiron was the source of all things.

The Forgotten Revolution: How Science Was Born in 300 BC and Why it Had to Be Reborn

by Lucio Russo

4.3 out of 5

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In the 4th century BC, the philosopher Empedocles proposed that the universe was made up of four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. Empedocles believed that these four elements were constantly interacting with each other, and that this interaction was the source of all change in the universe.

The ideas of Thales, Anaximander, and Empedocles were the foundation of Greek science. These philosophers began to use reason and logic to explain the natural world, and they made significant progress in understanding the universe. However, Greek science reached its peak in the 3rd century BC, and after that it began to decline.

The Decline of Greek Science

There were a number of factors that contributed to the decline of Greek science. One factor was the rise of Christianity. Christianity is a monotheistic religion, and it teaches that the universe was created by God. This belief discouraged people from studying the natural world, as they believed that God had already revealed all that they needed to know.

Another factor that contributed to the decline of Greek science was the rise of the Roman Empire. The Romans were a practical people, and they were more interested in engineering and technology than in science. This led to a decline in funding for scientific research, and it made it difficult for scientists to pursue their work.

By the 5th century AD, Greek science was in a state of decline. The great libraries of Alexandria and Pergamon had been destroyed, and most of the scientific knowledge that had been accumulated over the centuries had been lost.

The Rebirth of Science

Science was reborn in the 16th century AD, with the work of Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler. These scientists used mathematics and observation to develop new theories about the universe. Copernicus proposed that the sun, not the Earth, was the center of the solar system. Galileo proved that objects fall at the same speed regardless of their weight. Kepler discovered the laws of planetary motion.

The work of Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler laid the foundation for the scientific revolution. Science began to flourish again, and it has continued to progress ever since.

Why Science Had to Be Reborn

Science had to be reborn because the old ways of understanding the natural world were no longer adequate. The rise of Christianity and the Roman Empire had led to a decline in scientific research, and most of the scientific knowledge that had been accumulated over the centuries had been lost.

Science was reborn in the 16th century AD because people began to question the old ways of understanding the natural world. They began to use reason and logic to explain the universe, and they made significant progress in understanding the world around them.

Science is a vital part of our world. It helps us to understand the universe, to develop new technologies, and to improve our lives. Science is always changing, and it is constantly expanding our knowledge of the world.

The Forgotten Revolution: How Science Was Born in 300 BC and Why it Had to Be Reborn

by Lucio Russo

4.3 out of 5