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Learning from the Genius of Al‑Biruni

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Learning from the Genius of Al‑Biruni This document is downloaded from DR‑NTU (https://dr.ntu.edu.sg) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Knowledge exchanges in the global organization : learning from the genius of Al‑Biruni Sam, Samraj Praveen; Sharma, Ravi S. 2012 Sharma, R. S., & Sam, S. P. (2012). Knowledge exchanges in the global organization: learning from the genius of Al‑Biruni. International Journal of Knowledge Engineering and Research, 1(1), 6‑20. https://hdl.handle.net/10356/100287 © 2012 International Journal of Knowledge Engineering and Research. This paper was published in International Journal of Knowledge Engineering and Research and is made available as an electronic reprint (preprint) with permission of International Journal of Knowledge Engineering and Research. The paper can be found at the following official DOI: [http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2124851]. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law. Downloaded on 01 Oct 2021 13:53:26 SGT International Journal of Knowledge Engineering and Research Vol 1 Issue 1 October 2012 Knowledge Exchanges in the Global Organization – Learning from the Genius of Al-Biruni Dr. Ravi S. Sharma #1, Samraj Praveen Sam #2 # Wee Kim Wee School of Communication & Information, Nanyang Technological University Republic of Singapore Abstract — The post-industrial organization is typically the understanding between two ancient civilizations. More knowledge-intensive and collaborative, without which success specifically, although by no means the first ([3]-[17]), this is not possible. Its key processes involve bringing teams across article is a homage to the qualities and abilities of a genius organizations (vendors, clients, sub-contractors, service that allowed knowledge transfers in complex and difficult providers, suppliers etc) together in order to share and create circumstances. knowledge. This paper posits that knowledge exchange across boundaries is not new and we could learn from history. The Al-Biruni was born in 973AD, in the suburb of Kath, the historical works of Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni (973-1048AD), a capital of Khwarazm, which is now a region of Uzbekistan Persian polymath scholar who made significant contributions on the southern shores of the Aral Sea. At an early age of in diverse fields of study, were examined using frameworks of his career, he was a scholar at the court of the sultan of knowledge assets and knowledge flows. The knowledge flows of Khwarazm. However, his tenure at his court came to an end knowledge assets were plotted and studied using Boisot’s I- when sultan Mahmud of Ghazna conquered Khwarazm and space model and the knowledge transfer to and from Al-Biruni took him as a prisoner along with other scholars. Al-Biruni was studied using Gupta and Govindarajan’s knowledge transfer framework. The factors that have contributed to the lived and worked for most of his life at the court of Sultan tremendous achievements in scholarship by the genius of Al- Mahmud and his son Masud. He had accompanied Mahmud Biruni were found to be the possession of multiple on his campaigns into India, which lasted for about thirteen intelligences, a balance of wisdom with an ability to positively years (1017-1030AD). It was during those campaigns that influence his environment and a strong value system within Al-Biruni learned Sanskrit and took extensive notes, which which he operated. The research suggests that possessing he later published in what is now considered the most multiple intelligences and a balance in wisdom enables the authoritative account of medieval India [13]. At the twilight people involved in multi-national, cross-cultural and cross- of his career, Al-Biruni had written more than 180 books in lingual knowledge transfer to be able to give better form and more than twenty different subject areas including structure to knowledge enabling easier and better knowledge diffusion. astronomy, mathematics, geography, chronology, mechanics, medicine, mineralogy, history, literature, religion and philosophy ([13],[15]). His study on India is considered one of the most accurate and definitive research about the Hindu Keywords — knowledge diffusion, knowledge management strategy, international knowledge flows. culture and an account of India during that time period. Even today, Al-Biruni’s works on India are a major I. INTRODUCTION source for appreciating ancient Hindu culture and the It is well known that the success or failure of a global achievements of the Indus civilization in the fields of organization depends on a relationship of trust, mutual science and arts. He had toured India for 13 years in the financial benefit, and the effectiveness of knowledge early 11th century AD and had translated 27 classical works exchanges between vendor and client. The last mentioned from Sanskrit to Arabic having learnt Sanskrit himself. His point is the subject of this article. More specifically, the works on India are a key source of information on Indian article examines how knowledge can be captured and shared conditions between the period of Hieun Tsang's (the famous effectively so as to promote collaboration and superior Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar) visit to India in the 7th group performance. Although many theories of knowledge century and the writings of Ain-e-Akbari (written by Abul transfer and diffusion have been promulgated in the last Fazl during the administration of the Mughal Emperor decade or so that the idea of knowledge management has Akbar's empire in India) in 1590 AD [18]. Al-Biruni's work been in vogue ([1],[2]) it is obvious that the process cannot on India contains an account of Hindu numerals [19]. He be new. In fact, it could well be medieval. This article compared Hindu verses with the Quran and supported narrates the genius of a forgotten scholar who pursued Hindu works with Quranic verses [18]. He was also the first knowledge and truth as he attempted to bridge the gaps in of all the known scholars who had compiled a scientific Ravi S. Sharma et.al. 6 www.ijker.org International Journal of Knowledge Engineering and Research Vol 1 Issue 1 October 2012 system of the Jewish Chronology [5]. In doing so, Al-Biruni and applied in today’s knowledge societies. Specifically, in conveyed the vast treasure of Indian scientific information the context of outsourcing, there is a still-relevant lesson to to the Islamic world and beyond [18]. be learnt on how gaps across cultures and geography may be bridged. His works represent a scientific renaissance in comparison with the aspirations of his contemporaries [20]. II. BACKGROUND THEORIES However, the works of Al-Biruni, even though comparable only to the works of Leonardo da Vinci in the scope of A. Theory of Multiple Intelligences scholarship, are not as well-known in the western world as To study Al-Biruni and his contributions and to other scholars of similar achievement [21] and he is often understand the person (the knowledge source himself) referred to as a forgotten scholar. His high scientific stature involved in contributing so much in knowledge it is has also lead to a controversy in modern times about the necessary to study the intelligence and wisdom possessed by national origin and allegiance of Al-Biruni. There are the knowledge source. Howard Gardner ([23],[24]) reports of controversy in modern politics and he has been proposed the theory of multiple intelligences where he held claimed by several nations as their own. The Soviet Union a pluralist idea of intelligence consisting of nine basic types had claimed him as their own because he was born in the of intelligence. These nine types are described as follows: region which was until recent years Soviet Central Asia. Iran had also claimed him because he spoke Khwarazmian, 1) Visual-spatial intelligence: This type of intelligence a dialect of Persian and so did Pakistan and Afghanistan signifies the ability to recognize and use the patterns of because he lived a good a part of his life in Sind and near wide spaces and confined spaces. The possessors of this modern Kabul. The Arab nations also consider him as their type of intelligence show good spatial judgment and own because he wrote most of his works in Arabic [13]. have the ability to visualize using their minds. Despite the fame during his time, the grave of Al-Biruni 2) Verbal-linguistic intelligence: This type of intelligence which lies in modern day Afghanistan has been neglected involves the person’s ability the ability to learn and completely forgotten. Based on existing historical languages, the capacity to use language to accomplish documents the grave of the scholar, in whom Afghanistan certain goals and sensitivity to spoken and written takes pride for his academic and scholarly writings, lies to language. They learn best by reading, taking notes, the east of the city of Ghazni (the capital of south-central listening, discussion and debate. They also exhibit skills Ghazni Province). A number of academic and cultural in explaining, teaching and learn foreign languages very foundations have described this negligence as a cultural easily. shame for Afghanistan [22]. 3) Logical-mathematical intelligence: Those who possess this type of intelligence have the capacity to analyze Al-Biruni did remarkably well in creating knowledge, problems logically, carry out mathematical operations acquiring knowledge, capturing it in his works and quite and investigate issues scientifically. It entails the ability effectively diffusing it from his several travels and most to detect patterns, reason deductively and think logically. notably his time in India. This is of particular interest since This type of intelligence is associated with scientific and barriers of distance, language and culture which Al-Biruni mathematical thinking.
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