|
|
Greek philosopher who was a subscriber to the Pythagorean school of natural philosophers, but
without the mysticism of his contemporaries. He felt that we must use the data from our senses, even though they could
not be completely trusted. He believed the Moon shone by reflected light. He postulated that all
substances were made up of air, earth, fire, and water combined in different proportions. He is the first to have
suggested the humoral theory, later adopted by the Hippocratics. He also proposed a crude
theory of evolution.
Hippocrates of Cos, Pythagoras
Additional biographies: Bonn, Greek and Roman Science and Technology
© 1996-2007 Eric W. Weisstein
|