Science in the ancient era

Main thing

Science in the ancient era was the study of the natural world through observation, logical reasoning, mathematics and some experimentation, but without the fully developed scientific method used today. The key fields of ancient science included astronomy, mathematics, medicine, engineering and alchemy. These disciplines were not yet distinct from philosophy, which encompassed nearly all intellectual pursuits in the ancient world. Ancient science was also heavily intertwined with religion and mysticism.

The key features of science in the ancient era were:

1. Systematic observation of natural phenomena, especially in astronomy and medicine

2. Use of logic and reason to explain the world, rather than just relying on mythology

3. Early forms of experimentation and empirical evidence gathering, such as in medicine

4. Practical inventions and engineering achievements, like the Egyptian pyramids

5. Emergence of general scientific theories, such as the Greek idea of atoms

6. Transmission of scientific knowledge through education in places like the Library of Alexandria

7. Lack of precise scientific instruments and technology, leading to reliance on thought experiments and imagined concepts

8. Blurred lines between science, philosophy, religion and pseudoscience like alchemy

However, ancient science lacked key elements of modern science like fully controlled experiments, peer review, precise instrumentation, and a clear distinction between science and pseudoscience. Nonetheless, it laid the foundation for the later development of modern scientific fields and methods.

Terms

• Science - the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. In the ancient world, science encompassed fields like astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and natural philosophy.

• Ancient era - the period of human history before the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century CE, encompassing the rise of civilizations like ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, China and India. The ancient era saw the beginnings of science as a systematic study of nature.

• Scientific method - a method of procedure consisting of systematic observation, measurement, experiment, formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses. The scientific method was not fully developed in the ancient world, but ancient thinkers laid the groundwork with their emphasis on observation, reason and mathematics.

• Alchemy - an ancient branch of natural philosophy that combined elements of chemistry, physics, astrology and mysticism. Alchemists sought to transform matter, particularly to convert base metals into gold. Alchemy was a precursor to modern chemistry but is now considered a pseudoscience.

• Philosophy - the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. In the ancient world, philosophy encompassed nearly all intellectual pursuits, including what we now consider separate scientific disciplines. Ancient philosophers often combined rational inquiry with mystical and religious ideas.

An analogy

Ancient science is like a seed that contained all the potential for modern science. With the right conditions, it sprouted and grew into the mighty tree of contemporary scientific knowledge. But it took over 1000 years for that potential to be fully realized.

A main misconception

A common misconception is that there was no real science before the Scientific Revolution, and that ancient people explained everything through myth and superstition. In reality, ancient civilizations achieved remarkable feats of observation, reason and invention. But their approach was not as systematic, empirical and secular as modern science.For example, the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids and developed sophisticated medical procedures, but also believed the sun god Ra sailed across the sky in a boat each day.

The history

The development of science in the ancient era can be divided into several key phases:

1. Prehistoric times (before 3000 BCE) - Early humans developed primitive technologies like stone tools, fire and agriculture. But their understanding of the world was animistic and mythological.

2. Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt (3000-1000 BCE) - The first civilizations made detailed astronomical observations for timekeeping and agriculture. The Babylonians used mathematics to predict celestial events. The Egyptians developed geometry to survey land and engineer buildings.

3. Ancient Greece (600-100 BCE) - Greek philosophers like Thales, Pythagoras, Aristotle and Archimedes sought natural explanations for phenomena. They used logic, geometry and early experiments to study nature. Hippocrates established medicine as a science.

4. Hellenistic period (323-31 BCE) - Hellenistic thinkers in Egypt and the Middle East preserved and built on Greek knowledge. The Library of Alexandria was a major center of scholarship. Hellenistic scientists produced treatises on astronomy, mathematics, physics and medicine.

5. Roman and Medieval periods (100 BCE - 1400 CE) - The Romans were great engineers but made few original contributions to science. During the Middle Ages, scholars in the Islamic world kept the flame of Greek science alive while Europe was in the Dark Ages. The Islamic Golden Age produced advances in mathematics, astronomy and medicine.

"The important thing in science is not so much to obtain new facts as to discover new ways of thinking about them." - Sir William Bragg, British physicist (1862-1942)

Three cases how to use it right now

1. Observing and recording natural phenomena, like the ancient Babylonians tracking the movements of stars and planets. You can keep a journal of your observations of the weather, the phases of the moon, the habits of animals and plants, etc.

2. Using geometry to solve practical problems, like the ancient Egyptians surveying land and building pyramids. You can apply basic geometry to home improvement projects, landscaping, carpentry, etc.

3. Seeking natural explanations for mysteries, like the Greek philosophers debating the nature of matter. When you encounter something you don't understand, research it and try to find a scientific explanation rather than falling back on superstition or mysticism.

Interesting facts

• The term "PhD" (Doctor of Philosophy) originated in the medieval European university system, where the study of the natural world was still considered a branch of philosophy. This reflects how philosophy encompassed all scientific disciplines in the ancient and medieval world.

• The ancient Egyptians performed successful brain surgery as early as 2500 BCE.

• The ancient Greeks built a mechanical computer called the Antikythera mechanism around 100 BCE to calculate astronomical positions.

• The Chinese began producing paper around 100 CE and printed books using movable type in the 11th century, long before Gutenberg.

• The medieval Islamic world had hospitals with separate wards for different diseases, nurses and medical records as early as the 8th century CE.