Islamic Science (4)
Page 1: The Genesis of Science
Introduction to the origins and historical context of scientific development.
Page 2: Arabic Science
Refers to various scientific activities sponsored by the Abbasid caliphs post-750.
Scientific fields sponsored included mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and optics.
Texts were predominantly written in Arabic, establishing Arabic as the key intellectual language.
Sponsored by Arab-Muslim Caliphs.
Page 3: Influence of Greek Works
Medieval Arabic science substantially drew from Greco-Hellenistic heritage.
Translations included significant works:
Mathematics: Euclid’s Elements, Archimedes.
Astronomy: Ptolemy’s Almagest.
Medicine: Galen, Hippocrates, Dioscorides.
Page 4: Contributions of the Sabaeans and Nestorians
Important roles in Arabic science as translators and authors:
Sabaeans:
A pagan community from Harran, known for Hellenistic learning.
Influenced by Pythagorean teachings, proficient in mathematics.
Thābit ibn Qurrā’ translated Archimedes into Arabic and authored original works.
Nestorians:
Based in Jundi Shapur, acknowledged for their extensive medical knowledge.
Employed by Abbasid caliphs, strong knowledge of Greco-Hellenistic medicine.
Page 5: The Nestorians in Medicine
Nestorian community’s vital role in early medical advancements.
Received knowledge from various Greek influences, leading to superior medical practices.
Page 6: Mathematics
Arabic term for arithmetic: hisab or ‘ilm al-a‘dad.
Developed from:
Euclid’s Elements (Books VII-IX)
Nicomachus of Gerasa's Science of Numbers (translated by Thabit b. Qurrah).
Page 7: Origins of the Modern Number System
Modern number system: Hindu-Arabic, recognizing Indian and Arabian contributions.
Zero, invented by Arab mathematicians, is fundamental to this system.
Page 8: Notable Mathematician
Ghiyath al-Din Abu’l-Fath ‘Umar al-Khayyām Nishapuri (1048-1131):
Polymath and influential figure in various disciplines, authored multiple treatises.
Page 9: Contributions to Algebra
‘Umar al-Khayyām wrote crucial works on algebra, including methods for solving cubic equations.
Page 10: Abu Abdullah al-Khawarizmi
Murad to Ptolemy’s Geographike Hyphegesis.
Authored the first Arabic handbook on Indian reckoning.
Known as the “Father of Algebra” and popularized algorithms through Kitab al-Jabr wa al-Muqabala.
Page 11: Advancement of Astronomy
Driven by religious needs for prayer timings and practical applications.
Major research centers: Baghdad, Cairo, Damascus, and Maragha.
Instruments developed include:
Astrolabe: a computational instrument for time calculation.
Al-Zijes: astronomical data tables, with new contributions by astronomers.
Page 12: Notable Astronomers
Ibrahim al-Fazari:
Translated Indian astronomical texts into Arabic for al-Mansur, early astrolabe developer.
Page 13: Nasir al-Din Tusi
Tusi (1201-1274): Key figure in reviving Islamic sciences through diverse contributions.
Page 14: Tusi and Astronomical Tables
Persuaded Hulegu Khan to build an observatory for improved astronomical tables.
His work led to advanced methodologies in trigonometry.
Page 15: Zij-i Ilkhani
Tusi's Zij-i Ilkhani detailed astronomical calculations and advanced planetary system models.
Page 16: Foundations of Optics
Influenced by significant texts from Euclid, Ptolemy, Archimedes, and Galen.
Hunayn Ibn Ishaq’s works based on these theories, wrote about vision.
Page 17: Alhacen's Contributions
Abū ‘Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Hasan Ibn al-Haytham (965-1040): Made notable advancements in optics, including the scientific method application.
Page 18: Kitab al-Manazir
His famous work proved light follows straight lines, conducted numerous lens and mirror experiments.
Pioneered the early analysis of the camera obscura.
Page 19: Development of Medicine
Baghdad as a prominent medical center, over 800 doctors.
Strong integration of Greek medical traditions, with early hospitals emerging.
Page 20: Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi
Renowned for numerous medical firsts, including differentiation of smallpox and measles.
Page 21: Abulcasis
Prominent surgeon, author of Kitab al-Tasrif, had lasting influence on surgical practices and instruments.
Page 22: Ibn al-Nafis
First to describe pulmonary circulation, worked in Egypt’s renowned hospitals.
Page 23: Ibn Sina
Famous for The Canon of Medicine, compiling comprehensive treatments and medicinal knowledge.
Page 24: Ibn al-Jazzar
Noted medical practitioner specializing in child care with enduring influence through his works.
Page 25: European Renaissance Influence
12th century interest in Arabic sciences and philosophy, translation efforts centered in Toledo.
Page 26: Useful Sources
Jim al-Khalili’s linked videos for further exploration of the subject.