## The social significance of science in its beginnings - solving common problems

Most people associate the term "science" primarily with later historical periods, in which humanity possesses a broad knowledge of basic physical laws, can construct sophisticated measuring devices, and systematically develops individual disciplines of natural and social sciences. Today, scientific research constantly expands the boundaries of knowledge and employs new ideas in various areas of human activity, including the creation of previously unknown objects that improve the quality of our everyday life. However, the beginnings of scientific research lie in a completely different time and occur for a completely different reason. In ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, astronomical observations began during the fifth millennium BC – at a time when written language already existed, but a reliable and stable numeric system had not yet been established. In those times, other scientific disciplines, especially mathematics and medicine, started to attract public attention. The reason for their emergence was quite simple – people needed them for their daily activities. Astronomy made it possible to effectively track time and create a functional calendar, mathematics and geometry became the basis for construction and architecture, medicine was needed to provide treatment of diseases and injuries. Indian and Chinese science played similar role in oriental cultures. In India, early forms of surgery were developed (e.g., surgery of a torn auricle – the outer ear), measuring devices and construction methods were improved (e.g., the production of bricks with an optimal edge ratio of 4 : 2 : 1), and there were significant advances in mathematics (gradually the numeric system used throughout the world emerged, and around the year 628 the Indian scholar Brahmagupta introduced the use of the number "0"). In the same period, social sciences – linguistics (e.g., the formulation of the rules of Sanskrit – the written language in ancient India) and political science (e.g., Arthaśāstra – a book concerning the relationship between individual parts of the state) were established. In ancient China, astronomers were able to predict solar and lunar eclipses, in the year 132, the first seismometer – a device that detects earthquakes – was built, and Chinese scientists brought many useful inventions to the world, including matches, wheelbarrows and the crossbow.