As
told before, the Greeks didn't separate natural science from other knowledge.
To them, the pursuit of all knowledge was Philosophy The logical
inquiring minds of the Greeks added
a great deal to man's knowledge about the earth and the universe. They explained
many principles which once understood gave man the possibility of understanding
much more.
- Euclid: the "Father of Geometry" collected and
published everything known in this field of study.
-Archimedes: he produced formulas for working with all shapes,
which included the circle
- Hipparchus: "Father of Trigonometry" - he invented this branch of math to help with his work in astronomy
B. Chemistry:
- they made little or no progress in this field (how can you understand things if you can’t see them (atoms)? You need a microscope.
C. Physics: (how things work such as electricity)
- The "Father of
Physics" was undoubtedly Archimedes, a brilliant native of
Syracuse.
- He is most famous for formulating "Archimedes Principle", the
law of floating bodies (displacement) which
led
to the idea of specific gravity.
- he also did much useful work with levers, pulleys, cogged wheels,
catapults and cranes.
- Democratus stated the world’s first atomic theory. He believed
that all matter is composed of material that
is
so small that they cannot be divided.
D. Astronomy:
- a number of Greek scientists knew the earth was spherical
- Distarchus of Samos: he
knew that the earth and other planets revolved around the sun. Other scientists
didn't like to state this belief because it was so dangerous and
unpopular at the time.
- Hipparchus: he calculated the solar year to be 365 1/4 days
minus a few minutes. He was six minutes off
the exact calculation.
- His calculation of the lunar month was less than one second off.
His estimation of the earth's distance from
the moon was only off by 5%.
- Eratopthenes: he calculated the circumference of the earth and
also caused most of the known world to be
mapped.
- Hipparchus: Designed
a method of finding position on the earth by lines of latitude and longitude.
E.
Medicine:
- In general, Greek doctors were not as advanced as those from other
areas such as Egypt
- In early times, medicine was associated with religion and superstition
- Hippocrates: is known as the "Father of Medicine", he
understood that disease had natural causes (not
supernatural) and should be cured by natural means
- he recommended good eating habits, and exercise as a means of
preventing disease
- he recommended that doctors should follow a logical and scientific
sequence with their patients -
diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and follow-up.
- he is best known however for the "Hippocratic Oath" which set
standards for doctors, so much that today’s
doctors still are required to take the oath