Claim: The process of scientific discovery heavily relies on building upon previous knowledge and collaboration.
Evidence: In the excerpt, it mentions how Edwin Hubble’s work was influenced by earlier scientists like Nicolaus Copernicus and Pierre-Simon Laplace. Copernicus’s idea that the Sun is the center of our solar system laid the groundwork for understanding the universe, while Laplace provided mathematical models for celestial motions.
Reasoning: This shows that Hubble didn’t just discover things on his own; he built on the ideas of others. Scientists collaborate by sharing knowledge and findings, allowing them to make connections and advance their understanding of the universe. Hubble’s discoveries about galaxies and the expansion of the universe could not have happened without the earlier contributions from Copernicus and Laplace, highlighting the importance of cumulative knowledge in science.