Ancient Philosophy and Science
Classical Philosophy
Classical philosophy studies the fundamental problems concerning human existence through the eyes of our intellectual ancestors. Many thinkers from Classical times were pioneers of our modern philosophical and scientific ideas. The earliest beginnings of philosophy are traced back to the sixth century B.C.E., when the first scientists of Western history, the Pre-Socratics – among them Thales, Heracl*tus and Parmenides – advanced revolutionary theories concerning the natural world, human knowledge and humans’ relationship with the gods. Some centuries later, Socrates ignited an intellectual revolution that would challenge traditional notions of morality and value forever. Plato, who had studied under Socrates, and Plato’s own student Aristotle, expanded the discipline of philosophy and forked out the path of Western intellectual thought with their discussions of logic, ethics, poetry, myth,politics, physics, and metaphysics. Their work was continued, systematized and amplified by Stoic, Epicurean, and Skeptical thinkers. It had an important impact on prominent figures of Late Antiquity such as Marcus Aurelius, Plotinus, Porphyry, and greatly influenced the early Church Fathers, most notably St. Augustine. Studying the Classics will give students with an interest in ancient philosophy a particularly thorough grasp of the broader linguistic, literary, historical, and cultural background of philosophical issues and problems.
History of Science
The History of Science is an academic discipline of great scope, covering subjects such as technology, mathematics, medicine, and astronomy. Studying these disciplines through a Classical lens shows how closely the sciences are related to the humanities, and how all of our various areas of specialization fit together into a single investigation of the world and our experiences in it. Students will find answers to important questions, such asthe early origins of the different scientific disciplines and their impact on culture and society, and they will also find important questions like what does it mean to exist, what are the fundamental building blocks of the world, and what does it mean to lead a good life.
The ancient Greeks were the first mathematicians and scientists of the West. Thinkers such as Thales, Anaximander, Pythagoras and Empedocles attempted to make sense of the world by studying the evidence they found in it. Anaximander proposed that the earth was a solitary body, floating free and unsupported in the universe, and produced one of the first maps of the world. Empedocles was among the first to believe that the world consisted of diverse material elements acted upon by forces of attraction and repulsion. The atomic theory of matter begins with the Greeks. Euclid remains one of the most influential mathematicians of all time. His contemporary Archimedes was a famous inventor and is also credited with discovering a geometrical technique which anticipated calculus and the fact that thesurfaceand volume of a sphere is 2/3 that of its circ*mscribingcylinder.Through early astronomy, the Greeks developed the idea of mathematized science. In the field of medicine, they began with case histories and folk remedies, and ended up with an understanding of the nerves, the ability to patch up wounded gladiators, and even the ability to remove cataracts with eye surgery. They invented the first steam engine, vending machine, automatic doors, and more. And they sustained glorious cities with over a million inhabitants without using electricity, fossil fuels, gunpowder or nuclear fission as sources of energy.
The Renaissance was an attempt to give a ‘new birth’ to the classical world following lapses in the Medieval period, and the modern drive for progress has often been an effort to match or surpass the achievements of ancient Greece and Rome. By studying the History of Science in the Classical world, we come to understand the various disciplines through their historical and cultural contexts, and come to see how our fragmented scientific investigations form part of an integrated whole.
Related Faculty
As a seasoned scholar deeply immersed in the realms of ancient philosophy and the history of science, my expertise spans the vast landscape of Classical thought and its profound impact on the development of human understanding. My journey through the annals of philosophy and science has equipped me with firsthand knowledge and a profound understanding of the interconnectedness between these two disciplines.
The roots of philosophy and science intertwine in the rich soil of Classical antiquity, where luminaries such as Thales, Heracl*tus, and Parmenides laid the groundwork for revolutionary theories about the natural world, human knowledge, and our relationship with the divine. The intellectual revolution sparked by Socrates, followed by the contributions of Plato and Aristotle, expanded the horizons of philosophy, delving into realms such as logic, ethics, politics, and metaphysics.
The impact of Classical philosophy resonated through the ages, influencing Stoic, Epicurean, and Skeptical thinkers, and leaving an indelible mark on prominent figures of Late Antiquity, including Marcus Aurelius, Plotinus, and Porphyry. The echoes of Classical thought reverberated in the corridors of the early Church, notably in the teachings of St. Augustine.
The intersection of Classical philosophy and the history of science offers a profound understanding of the human quest for knowledge. The ancient Greeks, pioneers of mathematics and science, from Thales to Euclid and Archimedes, sought to make sense of the world through meticulous observation and reasoning. Their contributions spanned astronomy, medicine, and technology, laying the foundation for mathematized science and groundbreaking inventions.
The Renaissance, with its aspiration to revive the classical world, reflects the enduring influence of ancient Greece and Rome. Studying the History of Science in the Classical world allows us to appreciate the historical and cultural contexts that shaped various disciplines. It illuminates the integrated whole of scientific investigations and highlights the ongoing quest for progress, echoing the endeavors to match or surpass the achievements of antiquity.
In conclusion, delving into Classical philosophy and the history of science unveils a tapestry of intellectual exploration and discovery. From the philosophical inquiries of Socrates to the mathematical prowess of Euclid, these disciplines form the bedrock of our understanding of existence, culture, and the interconnectedness of human knowledge. The publications listed further attest to the depth of exploration in this field, spanning topics from directional similarity in probabilities to the Homeric meaning in Parmenides, showcasing the enduring relevance of Classical wisdom.
