An Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science

2

Origins of Scientific Enquiry

2.1 The Palaeolithic (Old Stone) Age

The observation and understanding of nature, essential for the survival of the hunter gatherer, led to the beginning of science.

The most fundamental way in which man differs from other animals is that man forms continuing societies. This was so even in the Palaeolithic or the Old Stone Age. Thus, if the stone casually picked up and thrown marked the beginning of our technical progress, the flowering of that process was the development of tools.

Another breakthrough, again unique to humans, was the mastery over fire. At first, it must have been used by primitive humans to warm the body on cold nights, and to frighten animals. Cooking may have come later, but boiling represented ...