These topics, which first developed in parallel with the emergence of ancient Greek society, have played a determining role in shaping the development of subsequent western civilization and, indeed, continue to have an important influence on contemporary society. Although conceptually distinct, these themes are, as we shall see, closely related to each other. They are, (a) the adoption of reason and a scientific attitude to explain the natural world and the individuals it contains; (b) the view that humans can impose order on the world around them; (c) the emergence of the ideals of democracy and freedom.