Midterm Topics Review

Question 1

Describe the Hellenistic Period

Answer 1

300s - 200s BC
Philosophers like Ptolemy, Archimedes, Euclid
Lead by Alexander the Great
Represents a fusion of Ancient Greek world with East, Middle East, and Southwest Asia
Increased specialization of the sciences with museums for research
Represents melding of the tradition of Hellenic natural philosophy with patterns of state-supported science

Question 2

Describe the Hellenic Period

Answer 2

About speculation about nature
investigation of the fundamental nature of what exists
questions the essence of things
asking simple question through deduction
Aristotle lead the Hellenic period and establish comprehensive system of philosophy
He wrote systematically about everything, no numbers
Uses epistemology or syllogism where formal arguments are deduced into a major, minor premise, and conclusion

Question 3

What were main sources of mechanical power

Answer 3

wind and water
based on the lever by using wedge, screw, compound pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane
people used treadmills

Question 4

Advantages of wind and water power

Answer 4

free, better than animal power

Question 5

Disadvantages of wind and water power

Answer 5

wind doesn’t always flow the same or at all, not all regions were suited for watermills, transmission of energy wasn’t always efficient, energy needed to be used close to the mills, close proximity

Question 6

Current accepted theories for pyramid construction

Answer 6

Straight on ramp: needed lots of material, low gradient, need multiple ramps
spiral zigzag ramp: difficult to maneuver large blocks over small corners, difficult to make sure the pyramid keeps form
Spiral Ramps: cover the entire surface
Jean-Pierre Houdin’s internal ramp theory

Question 7

Causes of the decline of science and natural philosophy in Greco-Roman Era

Answer 7

the lack of clear social role for science
no employment was available for individuals as scientist or as natural philosophers
separation of science and technology in antiquity
the role of religion
wars and decline of the Roman Empire
First, there was a slow decline in the quality and quantity of scientific activities
second, a genuine disappearance of traditional learning, after fall of Roman Empire, Europeans were deprived of the documents which the ancient learned tradition was embodied