Arabic scientists

[Guest]

I have to ask why there are no arabic mathematicians or scientists or philosophers, without whom people like descartes and copernicus would be nothing.???

[Philippe]

You are right, there are plenty indeed and they have left their mark all over our mathematics, from the arabic numbers to Al-gebra to Al-gorithm and many other fields.

But the purpose of the site, if I understand it correctly (I am not in charge here) is not mathematics but physics. In this field the Arabic contribution is less because it is a relatively recent science which has grown with the enlightment mostly in Europe and later in the US.

It is true that since the philosophical roots are in antique Greece, then it is likely that some of the ideas may be even more ancien and coming from the Middle East and Egypt. The problem is that they are few sources and the subject is therefore difficult to research. Would you have some contribution to bring to this subject, I an probably quite a few other people would be interested.

Best Regards,
Philippe

[karene]

Hello there,

Thanks for your post - an interesting question.

To my understanding, Islamic philosophy benefited in the eighth century a.d. by the translations of ancient Greek philosophy into Arabic. In the ninth century a.d. a school of translators and intellectuals, known as 'The House of Wisdom' was founded in Baghdad. It was here and largely through the translations of these scholars, that the writings of Plato, Aristotle and the Neoplatonists became known to the Arabs, and subsequently to the western world which led to the Renaissance.
So the arabic thinkers were very important indeed.

Your question has led to me to rekindle my interest in islamic philosophy and its relationship with Christianity (when we consider Muhammad dreamed he was visited by the angel Gabriel, and of Jerusalem - meeting Moses and Jesus).
I agree with Philippe, that reputable sources are hard to come by, and greatly encourage you to contribute your knowledge.
I have a few books on the subject that I will re-read and construct a webpage dedicated to arabic philosophy. (so sorry Chris, more webpages!)

Thanks for the stimulation,
Karene