Classics in Credo: Philosophy and Science

Greek mathematician, physicist, and inventor. He is famous for his work in geometry (on the circle, sphere, cylinder, and parabola), physics, mechanics, and hydrostatics.

Greek mathematician (fl. 300 B.C.) whose works, and the style in which they were presented, formed the basis for all mathematical thought and expression for the following 2,000 years (although they were not entirely without fault).

Geometry based on the definitions and axioms set out in Euclid's Elements. Book I starts out with 23 ‘definitions’ of the type ‘a point is that which has no part’ and ‘a line is a length without breadth’.

Greek physician, recognized as the father of medicine.

In mathematics, the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter.

(Claudius Ptolemaeus) celebrated Greco-Egyptian mathematician, astronomer, and geographer. He made his observations in Alexandria and was the last great astronomer of ancient times. His Geography was the standard geographical textbook until the discoveries of the 15th century.

Greek philosopher, b. Stagira. He is sometimes called the Stagirite. Aristotle tutored Alexander the Great and founded the Peripatetic School. Aristotle studied (367–347 B.C.) under Plato at the Academy and there wrote many dialogues that were praised for their eloquence. Aristotle's father, Nicomachus, was a noted physician.

Philosopher; particularly made his mark in the application of his theories of the universe to everyday morality and the simple goal of living a good life. Ancient writers believed that Democritus was the student of Leucippus. They are associated together as the first philosophers to hypothesize that invisible material objects—atoms—make up the universe.

Greek philosopher, b. Samos; son of an Athenian colonist. He claimed to be self-taught, although tradition states that he was schooled in the systems of Plato and Democritus by his father and various philosophers.

Greek philosopher. Plato's teachings have been among the most influential in the history of Western civilization.

Pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, founder of the Pythagorean school, best known for two teachings: the transmigration of souls and the theory that numbers constitute the true nature of things. Migrated from his native Samos to Crotona and established a secret religious society or order similar to, and possibly influenced by, the earlier Orphic cult.

Greek philosopher of Athens. Famous for his view of philosophy as a pursuit proper and necessary to all intelligent men, he is one of the great examples of a man who lived by his principles even though they ultimately cost him his life.