1.1. Orígenes. De la oscuridad a la luz: una falsa metáfora.

Introduction

In this section, Carmel Ferragud introduces herself and the topic of the origins of science in Antiquity. She explains that science is a term with different meanings and that it is important to understand it within a social context and time.

Origins of Science

• Science did not emerge suddenly but rather due to a series of partial and often ambiguous developments.

• The period between the sixth and fourth centuries BC has been established as unique for creating significant differences between an ancient way of thinking and a way to think about science with certain advances in methodology and content.

• Observing this period from a Eurocentric perspective has notably stopped, harmed advances in research.

• Greek science owed a lot to the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations.

Understanding Science

In this section, Carmel Ferragud discusses how we should avoid presentism when trying to understand the science of the past from the present. She emphasizes that science is not timeless but rather should be understood within a society, within a social context, and time.

Different Forms of Rationality

• To specify and outline the differences between different forms of rationality, we must pay attention to transitions and interactions between these various forms of knowledge.

• Science undergoes permanent changes in terms of its content, method, form, and function.

• It is sometimes complicated to separate or discern science from other forms of knowledge.

Ancient Traditional Belief Systems

In this section, Carmel Ferragud explains that ancient traditional belief systems are intertwined with new methods, new types of knowledge, and new ideas. She highlights that there was no specific circumstance within any society that made science appear suddenly.

Tension Between Old And New Knowledge

• Ancient traditional belief systems are intertwined with new methods, new types of knowledge, and new ideas.

• There is a key moment for this tension, which is the period between the sixth and fourth centuries BC.

• All ancient civilizations shared an interest in divination through different methodologies, but especially through the development of astronomy and astrology.

• In medicine, there was a practical approach and certainly empirical research.

Mesopotamian And Egyptian Civilizations

In this section, Carmel Ferragud discusses how Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations formed an important group of scribes linked to temples. They created schools to establish information necessary for social, religious, and political organization.

Knowledge Required For Social Organization

• It was essential for Mesopotamians to be able to measure their fields using geometry and arithmetic.

• Egyptians needed knowledge about anatomy and diseases in animals found through religious sacrifices.

• Precision was necessary when sacrificing large animals such as cattle. This brought knowledge of what we would call veterinary nature today.

• Both the continuities and discontinuities are of great importance in understanding these two systems.

Transformation Of Medicine

In this section, Carmel Ferragud explains that Greek physicians became convinced that medicine was an art that could be based on a specific method. They defined an area of magic which had to be explicitly excluded from medicine.

Dynamic Transformation

• Many medical groups debated with each other within an organized system enabled by the polis where discussion and persuasion were regular parts of its working.

• The Greek physicians defined an area of magic which had to be explicitly excluded from medicine.

• Aristotle took a leap towards practical approach and empirical research towards the end of Hellenistic period.

• It is difficult to separate traditional understanding from modern science.