Question

The ancient Greeks get a lot of attention for their contributions to science because _________.

a.) they were the first people known to try to explain nature with models based on reason and mathematics, without resort to the supernatural
b.) they were the first people to realize that Earth is a planet orbiting the Sun
c.) they were the only ancient culture that kept written records of their astronomical observations
d.) the books of every other culture were lost in the destruction of the library of Alexandria

Answer 1

The ancient Greeks are lauded for their scientific contributions because they used reason and mathematics to understand nature, notably in the fields of philosophy, astronomy, and mathematics.

Therefore, the correct answer is: option a.) they were the first people known to try to explain nature with models based on reason and mathematics, without resort to the supernatural

Step-by-step explanation:

In the ancient Greeks, influential figures like Thales of Miletus sought to understand natural phenomena through natural causes rather than divine intervention, leading to significant developments in various fields including astronomy and mathematics. Thales, for instance, is noted for his prediction of a solar eclipse and his explanations for earthquakes.

Moreover, Hellenistic astronomers made advancements in understanding the solar system and calculating the Earth's size with remarkable accuracy. Figures such as Eratosthenes and Hipparchus laid essential foundations in astronomy through calculations and the creation of star charts.

Despite their many achievements, it's important to note that the Greeks did not engage in the experimental methods seen in modern science, and some of their contributions, such as Democritus' atomic theory, were not recognized until much later.