When one thinks of the greatest names in science, thinkers like Aristotle, Galileo and Newton spring to mind. These individuals are often credited with establishing the scientific method as well as pioneering major discoveries in various fields. Science is not solely about discovering new facts or theories – it’s also about whose name you can remember the next time someone mentions science. After all, who is the father of science?
The scientific method may be broadly defined as a process by which a hypothesis is tested by subjecting it to logical scrutiny and repeatedly evaluating its effectiveness at predicting natural phenomena. The goal is to establish as many characteristics of a phenomenon as possible, so that others can test whether they exist and also use those same characteristics to test other hypotheses.
Who established the scientific method? Who was the first scientist? Let’s take a look at some of history’s most famous scientists through their acknowledged contributions to science:
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Galileo Galilei is often considered the father of modern science. He studied mathematics, philosophy, and astronomy for two decades before embarking on a series of experiments which proved that objects in motion will stay in motion unless something acts upon them. This is the basis for Newton’s theory of gravity – the first law of motion. One year after publishing his findings, Galileo was charged with “vehement suspicion” of heresy by the Catholic Church and spent the last nine years of his life under house arrest. His theories were ultimately upheld and he was officially vindicated by a papal decree in 1822.
Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
Isaac Newton is considered the father of modern physics and one of the most influential scientists in history. He was a polymath, or someone who has knowledge in different fields, and it is impossible to list all of his contributions to science. Some of the most famous are:
– Newton’s first law states that an object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an external force
– His 3rd law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
– The theory of universal gravitation (a force attracting objects with mass)
Robert Hooke (1635-1703)
Robert Hooke is a name many people know because of the discovery of the law of elasticity. His experimental observations in 1660 led to his proposal that materials respond to external forces by changing their shape or size.
Hooke was also known for his scholarly publications, including a treatise on light and the invention of an early form of microscope. He contributed greatly to science through his innovative inventions, expansive knowledge and immense contributions to scientific thought.
Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier (1743-1794)
Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier was a French chemist who is considered as the “father of modern chemistry.” He determined that oxygen (O2) is a distinct element and not just a compound like air. In addition, he established that water is a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases.
Lavoisier also helped develop the theory of conservation of mass which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed but can only change forms and quantities. This scientific principle has been applied to explain how the human body uses food in order to maintain life.
Thomas Edison (1847–1931)
Thomas Edison was an American inventor and businessman who developed many devices that significantly changed everyday life. He is one of the most famous scientists in history, credited with developing the first commercially practical light bulb, phonograph, and talking motion picture camera.
I think I can relate to Thomas Edison because he is a man who has a vision for his work. He was committed to finding a way to make everyday things better and easier on people. He also had a strong sense of curiosity about how nature worked. With these qualities, he was able to invent many amazing things that have been used in our society for centuries now.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Albert Einstein was one of the most influential scientists to have ever lived. He contributed substantially to the fields of theoretical physics, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. He is best known for his theory of relativity in 1905, which is now universally accepted and explains how gravity and light work together on a universal basis.
Rosalind Franklin (1920-2014)
Rosalind Franklin was an English chemist and X-ray crystallographer who made contributions to understanding the structure of DNA, specifically in relation to its helical structure. She was best known for her work on the discovery of the structure of DNA.
Who is the Father of Science? You Decide!
Aristotle
Aristotle was the first to establish a systematic approach to scientific inquiry, including methodology and experimentation. He was also the first person to propose that natural phenomena follow patterns that can be analyzed by science.
Galileo Galilei
Galileian is considered one of the most famous scientists in history because he established the laws of motion and inertia in his book “The Motion of Objects.” He also studied how light behaves and its relationship with colors, which led to his discovery of the three primary colors – red, blue and green.
Isaac Newton
In 1687, Isaac Newton published Principia Mathematica, which outlined his three laws for universal gravitation. This work not only established what we now know as mechanics but also paved the way for modern discoveries in physics.
What’s your opinion on who should be crowned as the Father of Science?