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Islam developed over the course of its history one of the world's
most innovative and interesting scientific and medical traditions.
In this context, the term Islam should not simply be understood as
referring to the religion of the prophet Muhammad, but rather to a
civilization which was once surprisingly open to foreign
influences, and eager to engage with the proverbial Other. Yet
Islam is often perceived as being opposed to (Western) science and
methodology. Islamic Medical and Scientific Tradition presents a
selection of works that illustrate the intellectual curiosity and
theoretical vigour with which Arabs and non-Arabs living in the
medieval Muslim world pursued scientific endeavours. The focus is
firmly on scholarship published within the last twenty years,
during which period the discipline has enjoyed a new bloom.
Starting with the theoretical framework of the sciences in Islamic
philosophy and theology, this new collection from Routledge
elucidates the position of mathematics, physics, and medicine
within the hierarchy of the sciences. Another topic discussed is
Ancient (or Greek) versus traditional (or Muslim) sciences; and
Islamic theological views on the pure pursuit of knowledge. The
life sciences of Biology, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine are
examined, as are those of the physical sciences: Physics and
Astronomy. The occult 'sciences' of Astrology, Alchemy, and
Geomancy are also discussed. Close attention is paid to the
mathematical sciences of Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Optics
(including the introduction of zero, the invention of algebra, the
squaring of the circle, conics, and the nature of vision). The
practical sciences, Agriculture, Engineering, and Horticulture, are
also examined in detail. Fully indexed, and with a comprehensive
introduction newly written by the editor, that places the collected
material in its historical and intellectual context, this is an
essential work destined to be valued by scholars, students, and
researchers as a vital one-stop reference resource.
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