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Polytheism and Early Greek Cosmology. The initial stages towards some kind of scientific method. The Problem. Because 'Nature' is so critical to human prosperity and because natural forces can be so threatening and/or benevolent, all societies have attempted to bring it [nature] under control.
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Polytheism and Early Greek Cosmology The initial stages towards some kind of scientific method
The Problem • Because 'Nature' is so critical to human prosperity and because natural forces can be so threatening and/or benevolent, all societies have attempted to bring it [nature] under control.
To some degree Nature tends to act in an orderly way (e.g., the seasons and the sun). Of greater concern however were the anomalies in the Nature: that the planets appeared to move in erratic, yet predictable ways was not such a serious problem, but earthquakes, floods, and other natural events directly threatened humans.
How could those forces be explained? • How could they be controlled? • Religion, especially polytheism, offered a compelling explanation.
Characteristic features of polytheism: • everything we observe in nature is a reflection of the will of the gods; they reveal their will; it is up to humans to 'read' the signs correctly. Accurate observation is then critical. One needs gurus (priests) to record and interpret.
Nature is therefore Controllable • what happens in nature is a reflection of how the gods judge human behavior. Human behavior invokes a response from the gods, and that response (benevolent or malevolent) finds expression in natural events. Human behavior, ritual, prayer magic do make a difference in controlling Nature.
The celestial and the terrestrial worlds are mirror images of one another; gods and kings have absolute control.
Critical characteristics of Greek scientific thinking • Clear and conscious distinction between the natural and the supernatural; that is, natural phenomena not product of diving judgment, or of random or arbitrary (divine) influence; divinity not denied, but not assumed to be active. Esp. important in the investigation of unexpected natural phenomena like earthquakes, lightning, eclipses. Not signs of divine intervention; so prayer, ritual and human behavior do not affect Nature.
Knowledge is secular; it is not the monopoly of a priestly class. • The practice of public debate. Within the context of public discussion of political and legal matters of the city-state. Political decisions taken by citizen-soldiers. More generally, the early cosmologists, whether in Ionia (western Turkey) or in Sicily knew about and critiqued each others theories.
Demonstrates that such speculation had a "popular" audience, one that extended well beyond an individual city-state to include the much of the Greek work. This audience was interested in the discussion and transmitted the concepts to others. • These cosmologists were for the most part not professional scientists, but rather politicians and businessmen; physicians and teachers of rhetoric.
Limitations --two connected notions: • Generally a lack of experimentation • Generally not concerned about the utilitarian / practical applications
Subjects of inquiry • The explanation of unexpected natural phenomena: earthquakes, lightning, rainbows, etc. • The structure of the physical universe (kosmos). The "Chicken Little Question": What holds up the sky? why and how • How to explain change and transformation?
