Which Greek thinker is famed for the quote, "Give me a lever long enough and a place to stand, and I will move the world"?

Prepare for the CLEP Western Civilization 1 Test with our interactive quizzes and insightful explanations. Boost your readiness with well-designed questions and essential historical insights!

The thinker famed for the quote, "Give me a lever long enough and a place to stand, and I will move the world" is Archimedes of Syracuse. Archimedes was an ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer, who made significant contributions to mathematics and the physical sciences. This particular quote reflects his understanding of leverage, a fundamental principle in physics, and it illustrates his belief in the power of applying scientific principles to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.

Archimedes is particularly celebrated for his work on the laws of buoyancy and the principle of the lever, which demonstrates how a small effort can lift a large weight when the right tools and conditions are applied. His insights laid foundational aspects of physics and engineering that are studied and utilized even today.

In contrast, the other thinkers present in the options have made invaluable contributions in their respective fields, but their work does not directly relate to the quote in question. Euclid is known for his contributions to geometry, especially through his work "Elements," while Epicurus focused on philosophy around pleasure and the nature of happiness. Zeno of Citium is associated with Stoicism, emphasizing ethics and virtue rather than the physical sciences. Therefore, Archimedes stands out as

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy