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ARA 102 S21-11:00 AM Class Group 3 - The Decline of Islamic Science -…
ARA 102 S21-11:00 AM Class Group 3 -
The Decline of Islamic Science
External Factor (1): Invasions
Destruction of Baghdad by the Mongols (1258)
Christian reconquista of Al-Andalus (1492)
The Crusades (1095 – 1492)
Shrinking of the Muslim Ottoman, Mughal and Saffavid empires
External Factor (2): Economic
Loss of commercial dominance of the East
The opening of the treasure troves (great wealth found) of America and India for the West
Internal Factor (1): Rise of Orthodoxy
Considered as the most controversial because it separates authors in regards to liberal vs conservative standpoints
Brought the idea that the study of logic, ancient science and philosophy made an individual disrespectful of religious laws
Brought another idea that science and knowledge was useless if not strictly related to religion. For example Khawarizmi's algebra were viewed as useless and was not applied
The orthodoxy only accepted Greek knowledge in Medicine
Internal Factor (2): Lack of institutionalization
Difference between useful and useless knowledge
Ibn Khaldun formally disapproved philosophy and viewed science as abhorrent
Following Ghazzali, All forms of knowledge were only restricted to religion making religious knowledge dominant
Scientists were no longer funded
Institutions that included observation were prohibited but some institutions like hospitals were allowed religious funding
Internal Factor (3): Absence of
Institutions of Higher Education
Scientists were not part of colleges or universities and were only highly depended on patrons
Scientists did not constitute a network of scholars and scholarship where exchanges would be made regular
Internal Factor (4):Social chasm
A profound difference between the elite and the general public
The intellectuals disregarded the masses viewing them as
unfit for higher thought. However the ulama were always dependent on the masses
Ibn Rushd stated that allegorical interpretations of the Quranic verses should not to be expressed to the masses and he further states that the study of philosphy must be open to the common man but restricted to the chosen few