Middle East Intellectual Revolution and the Golden Age of Islam

Flashcards covering key concepts from the Middle East Intellectual Revolution and the Golden Age of Islam, including institutions, figures, methods, and cross-cultural knowledge exchanges.

When did Islam spread and lead to the Golden Age, and what facilitated knowledge exchange (language and texts)?

Islam spread in the 7th–8th centuries; the Golden Age lasted roughly 7th–13th centuries; common language was Arabic; access to Greek texts from the Byzantine Empire and proximity to India fostered knowledge exchange.

What was the House of Wisdom and why was it important?

An international center for translation and research opened around 822 AD; became the largest library by 850 AD; supported by Caliph Al-Mamun to translate texts from various parts of the world.

Who is known as the Father of Optics and what theory did he prove empirically?

Ibn al-Haytham; empirical proof for the intromission (light entering the eye) theory of vision.

Who is the Father of Algebra and Algorithms and what terms originate from his work?

Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi; origin of the terms algebra and algorithm.

Who is the Father of Chemistry and what did he contribute?

Jabir ibn Hayyan; early foundations of modern chemistry and alchemy.

Who is the Father of Experimental Medicine and what are his key works?

Ibn Sina; introduced clinical trials; authored Book of Healing and The Canon of Medicine.

What was the major methodological shift in the Golden Age?

Greater emphasis on experimentation and observation, contributing to the development of the scientific method.

What were the key mathematical advancements during the Golden Age?

Refinement of the Arabic numeral system and the introduction of decimal notation.

What were Ibn Sina's contributions to medicine?

Pioneering clinical trials and pharmacology; his works influenced medicine in the Muslim world and Europe.

What were Jabir ibn Hayyan's contributions to chemistry?

Early foundations of modern chemistry and alchemy.

What led to the decline of the Golden Age?

The Mongol conquests in the 12th–13th centuries caused destruction of libraries, observatories, and learning institutions.

How did Middle Eastern scholars integrate different knowledge bases?

Combined Greek, Roman, and Indian knowledge with Islamic thought, leading to innovations in mathematics, medicine, and philosophy.

Why is this period considered a basis for modern scientific inquiry?

Laid the groundwork for modern science through advancements in algebra and optics and a broader empirical approach.

What role did Caliph Al-Mamun play in the translation movement?

Sponsored scholar-translators to bring texts from different parts of the world to the House of Wisdom.