Science is the lifeblood of modern life. It is the foundation of our technology. Its discoveries prolong our lives and save the lives of those we love. It fascinates us and sometimes disturbs us with its mind-boggling truths. But what is science, and who was its first practitioner?

Science is the study of the physical world, but it is not just a field of interest. It is a discipline—a system of inquiry that adheres to a specific methodology. That methodology is known as the scientific method. It consists of seven steps: 1) observation; 2) statement of a problem or question; 3) formulation of a hypothesis, or a possible answer to the problem or question; 4) testing of the hypothesis with an experiment; 5) analysis of the experiment’s results; 6) interpretation of the data and formulation of a conclusion; and 7) publication of the findings. One can study nature without adhering to the scientific method, of course. The result, however, is not science. » Read more: Was an Iraqi Scholar the World’s First Scientist?