Why is the control of fire sometimes characterized as a discovery refined into a technique rather than a true invention?
Answer
It is arguably a discovery refined into a technique rather than creating a novel mechanism or system.
The argument against classifying fire control as the single greatest invention centers on its nature. While revolutionary—providing warmth, defense, and unlocking crucial nutritional potential via cooking that supported brain development—it is often viewed not as the creation of a novel mechanical artifact or system, but rather as the understanding and systematic application (refinement into a technique) of a natural phenomenon. True inventions, in this contrast, are seen as novel mechanisms or systems consciously constructed by humans, such as the wheel or the printing press.
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