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Originally published in 2001, now reprinted in the Icon Science series.
Medicine, anatomy, astronomy, mathematics and cosmology, science began with the Greeks, and Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Archimedes and Hippocrates were amongst its stars. That man ever managed to develop a 'scientific' attitude to the natural world at all is one of the true wonders of human thought. Eureka! shows how, free from intellectual and religious dogma, these early thinkers rejected myths and capricious gods and, in distinguishing between the natural and supernatural, effectively discovered nature. Andrew Gregory, Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at University College London, unravels the genesis of science in this fascinating exploration of the origins of Western civilisation, and our desire for a rational, legitimating system of the world.
Andrew Gregory is Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at University College London. His specialisms are in ancient and early modern science, ancient philosophy, and the relation of magic and science. He is also the author of Harvey's Heart: The Discovery of Blood Circulation (Icon, 2001) and Plato's Philosophy of Science (Bloomsbury, 2001).
"Anybody interested in a readable and engaging account of the background behind the landmarks of science need travel no further than Icon's fascinating treatments of our scientific history."
– Steve Jones, author of Almost Like a Whale
"An excellent summary of why modern science should thanks these pioneers [...] 5 out of 5"
– Focus
"Somehow everyone from Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes and Pythagorus to Democritus, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Archimedes has been crammed into this readable, pocket-sized primer."
– New Scientist
