Carl Sagan's early influences shaped his outlook on science, particularly through his familial environment and educational background. Growing up in a working-class Jewish family, Sagan's parents encouraged curiosity and a love for learning. The opportunity to explore the wonders of the universe during his youth led to a lifelong passion for astronomy. His studies at the University of Chicago nurtured his scientific thinking and interest in cosmology. Sagan's engagement with philosophical questions about the nature of life and existence drove him to popularize science, advocating for scientific literacy and critical thinking, which deeply impacted public understanding of the cosmos.