The advancement of science requires methodical observations and the use of the highest powers of the imagination. It is thinking in picture-like figures that supplies primitive reasoning. While pure reasoning deals with abstract, verbal images, the more concrete picture-thinking deals with object-images. The differences between thinkers and dreamers is chiefly in the way their minds act. But even thinkers are supplied with thought material by the elementary mental operation of picture-thought, dreams, or dream-thinking. Science needs the active use of the imagination to anticipate experience and suggest the issues of a process in course of action. Most great inventions, and probably all primitive inventions, were stimulated by imagination. But the imagination, unless skillfully directed, is liable to numerous errors. That is why in all ages there has been much error in connection with knowledge. There could, however, be little or no progress without imaginative work. It is only within very recent years that the modern sciences have been stripped of much absurd matter derived from crude imaginative work. When we bear this in mind, we have the key to the part played by ancient myths, magic, and ceremonies in developing civilization. The term magic is derived from the Persian term for priest. The magi, or priests of Zoroaster, their religion, learning, and occult practices had important world-wide effects just before the Babylonian era. Magic is a pioneer of religion, philosophy, and science. Medicine was benefited, in some ways, by the priests seeking means for dealing with the work of the spirits of evil. Chemistry and metallurgy were also advanced, and new realms of knowledge were opened even by magicians. The magic of the Babylonians survived their empire. It was handed over to the Egyptians and contemporary peoples, and was in turn passed down to the magicians and alchemists of the Middle Ages, and to the dramatists, poets, and novelists of all ages. The accumulation of scientific facts was greatly facilitated by the improvements made by the Babylonians in the manufacture of earthenware tablets, scrolls, and prisms. Beautifully drawn cuneiform picture signs recorded on these all the knowledge of the day. These stonelike records were filed away in many monasteries and libraries. Subsequently, letters were invented, alphabets were formed, and writing displaced the hieroglyphic symbols. The invention of alphabets made reading easier. This resulted in giving an impetus to education which has had cumulative effects right down through the ages.