The Power of Sympathy and Antipathy in Ancient Science

In this podcast episode, the hosts explore ancient scientific beliefs regarding sympathy and antipathy. They discuss how people in ancient times believed that certain objects or substances had either a natural affinity or aversion to each other. For example, they mention the belief that garlic could stop magnets from working due to their opposing properties. The hosts interview a professor of classics and philosophy, who explains that these seemingly strange beliefs were based on ancient scientists' attempts to classify objects based on their perceived properties and to make sense of the world around them. The discussion highlights the similarities between ancient and modern scientific thinking, as well as the importance of questioning our own assumptions and remaining open to new discoveries.