The ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician, Thales of Miletus, is often referred to as the "father of science." Thales lived around the 6th century BCE and is considered one of the earliest known thinkers to have used observation and reason to explain natural phenomena. He is credited with introducing the concept of rational inquiry and seeking natural explanations for phenomena that were previously attributed to mythology or the gods.
Thales is known for his work in various fields, including mathematics, astronomy, and geometry. He made significant contributions to geometry, such as discovering the fundamental theorem of geometry and developing methods to measure the height of pyramids.
While Thales is commonly recognized as an early scientific thinker, it's important to note that scientific knowledge and methods have evolved significantly since his time. The development of science is a collective effort involving contributions from numerous individuals across different time periods and cultures.