Science and Technology in Early Modern Islam, C.1450-C.1850 William Gervase Clarence Smith
Science and technology in early modern Islam, c.1450-c.1850 William Gervase Clarence Smith “Seek knowledge, even in China”. Prophet Muhammad A contested narrative The course of Islamic science and technology used to be portrayed as a play in four acts. From around 750 to 950 CE, translators made available the wisdom of Ancient Greece. Scholars of the 'golden age' elaborated a little on this legacy, before transmitting it to Christendom. An Islamic 'dark age' began around 1100, usually ascribed to Turko-Mongol barbarian invasions and religious fanaticism, allowing the West to pull steadily ahead. Only in the twentieth century did Muslims enter the brave new world of universal science and technology. Almost every element of this standard tale has lately been challenged. A few aspects of Islamic scientific endeavour seemingly date back to the time of the Prophet, early in the seventh century. The role of translations has correspondingly been downgraded. At the same time, greater stress has been placed on materials obtained from India, Persia, Babylon, and Egypt. More prominence has been granted to experimentation and observation by Islamic scholars, who led Europe and East Asia for several centuries. The onset of decline has been moved to a later point, albeit without consensus as to when that might be. Revival began from the late eighteenth century, and, in part, involved a return to the wellsprings of Islamic vitality. The greatest controversy surrounds the causes of Islamic scientific 'decline.' For Toby Huff, 'generalised and universal norms' did not emerge in Islam, especially in the legal sphere, and an 'ethos of secrecy in intellectual affairs' prevailed.
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