DOCSLIB.ORG

Medical Ethics According to Avicenna's Stance

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Medical Ethics According to Avicenna's Stance GMJ.2017;6(4):261-7 www.gmj.ir Received 2016-12-01 Revised 2016-12-02 Accepted 2017-05-30 Medical Ethics According to Avicenna’s Stance: A Synopsis Sajad Azmand1, Mojtaba Heydari2 1Department of Medical Ethics and Philosophy of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Abstract Medical ethics has been contemplated upon by practitioners since ancient times. Avicenna’s notes on medical ethics are presented in the third chapter of the manuscript “Fi Bayan al-ha- jat Ela al-Teb va al-Atteba va Vasayahom” (meaning: “on needs to medicine and physicians and their recommendations”) by Qutb al-Din Shirazi’s (1236-1311 CE), one of the main commentators on Avicenna Canon of Medicine. Avicenna refers to several ethical subjects which can be expressed in three main domains: considering patient interests, communication skills, and adhering to the characteristics of professional excellence. Although there are sim- ilarities between the classical medical ethics recommendations and ethics recommendations raised by Avicenna, significant moral differences can be considered between the two views. [GMJ.2017;6(4):261-7] DOI: 10.22086/gmj.v6i4.768 Keywords: Medical Ethics; History of Medicine; Persian Medicine Introduction “Adab-al-Tabib” (mores of medical practice) is known as the first book on medical ethics edical ethics has been contemplat- in the era of Islam, written by Ali ibne Ishaq Med upon by practitioners since ancient al-Rahavi (9th century AD) [5]. Hakim Seyed times. Chinese ancient texts on medical ethics Mohammad Hussein Aghili Khorasani Shirazi have pointed indirectly to the four principles (18th century) has also discussed ethical is- of modern medical ethics [1]. In ancient Iran, sues in the medical practice in his manuscript too, medical ethics has had its own specific “Kholasat-Al-Hekmat [6]. Rhazes (854- 925 position of importance [2]. It is, however, CE), in his medical encyclopedia of Alhavi, noteworthy that among all medical schools in has discussed medical ethics in medical prac- antiquity, ancient Greece had the most famous tice and research. Numerous exact citations statements of medical ethics. The Hippo- to his predecessors’ works was a significant cratic Oath, the most renowned text of med- feature of Rhazes commitment to ethics in sci- ical ethics in the medical community, is still entific writing [7]. In view of the elimination being used and cited all over the world [3]. of many of ancient medical manuscripts— Medical ethics is also paid attention to in especially those of the Greeks—throughout the medical treatises of Islamic periods [4]. history, Rhazes’ exact citations from previ- Correspondence to: GMJ Mojtaba Heydari, Research Center for Traditional Medi- ©2017 Galen Medical Journal cine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Med- Tel/Fax: +98 71 36474503 ical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran PO Box 7193616563 Telephone Number: +989172051798 Email:[email protected] Email Address : [email protected] Azmand S, et al. Medical Ethics According to Avicenna’s Stance Medical Ethics According to Avicenna’s Stance Azmand S, et al. ous works provided important access to the Results knowledge of his Greek predecessors. Even though Avicenna devoted no specific chapter Avicenna, in his overall recommendations, of his medical encyclopedia, Canon of Med- refers to several subjects that bear similar- icine, to Medical Ethics, he has frequently ities to new concepts of medical ethics. His mentioned the recommendations and concepts recommendations can be expressed in three related to medical ethics in the content [8]. main domains: considering patient interests, Sheikh Alrais Abu Ali Husain ibn Abdallah, communication skills, and adhering to the known as Avicenna is one of the most famous characteristics of professional excellence. scientists in Iran and in the world history [9]. He was born in the village of Afshane in Patient’s Interests Bukhara at Samanian era (980 CE) and died Adherence to the interests of the patient is one in Hamadan (1037 CE) [10, 11]. He has au- of the most important keywords in current thored 450 books in many various fields such medical ethics literature. In different parts of as medicine, philosophy, physics, music, his recommendations, Avicenna has advised mathematics etc., of which 240 are available physicians to care for the patients’ interest and today [12]. One hundred and fifty books are has highlighted this issue in differing orders. devoted to philosophy and forty to medicine. He considers confidentiality as one of the “Canon of medicine” (meaning: “rules of physician’s duties; he explicitly states that medicine”) and Shifa (meaning: “healing”) on “the physician ought to protect the patient’s philosophy are his most famous books [13]. secrets and should not express patient dis- Qutb al-Din Shirazi (1236-1311 CE) [4], one of eases such as hemorrhoids and diseases of the main commentators on Avicenna Canon of women except in the cases of necessity and Medicine (Figure-1), wrote multiple chapters (only) to the people who should know” [14]. on great medical scholar recommendations to In another section, Avicenna has discussed the physicians in his book “Fi Bayan al-hajat Ela physician-pharmacist relation. He considers al-Teb va al-Atteba va Vasayahom” (meaning: physician’s knowledge on different drugs as a “on needs to medicine and physicians and warranty for patient’s interest in dealing with their recommendations”) [14]. One of these pharmacist. He states that it is because of the chapters is on Avicenna’s recommendations. physician’s ability to inhibit the fraudulent ac- These recommendations mainly contain tivities of a pharmacist when the pharmacist topics that today are referred to as medi- offers expensive drugs to patients, considering cal ethics. Given the extreme importance his own profit without measuring the potential of Avicenna’s views on the history of sci- damages. In fact, Avicenna gives priority to ence, we have aimed at discussing these patient’s interests in the relationship among recommendations as “medical ethics from patient, physician and pharmacist. In this part, Avicenna’s stance” in this present article. Avicenna has indirectly mentioned the subject of health care provider’s conflict of interest. Search Strategies Another issue repeatedly cited in the rec- In this study, an overview of “Avicenna’s ommendation of Avicenna is consideration medical recommendations” in the third chap- of patient’s interests in diagnostic and ther- ter of the pistle “Fi Bayan al-hajat Ela al- apeutic function of physician. According to Teb va al-Atteba va Vasayahom” [14] was Avicenna’s view, a physician should consid- conducted. Medical ethical issues raised in er patient’s interests and conditions in all of these recommendations were extracted and his/her decisions about patient care. In the analyzed in three main aspects (Patient’s in- selection of specific treatment, he should terests, Communication Skills, Adherence start with the simplest and least aggressive to professional excellence). Similarities, treatments: he needs to avoid prescribing po- differences and conflicts between the cur- tentially harmful drugs as much as possible. rent theories on medical ethics and Avicen- Avicenna explicitly says that the choice of na’s viewpoints were discussed at the end. treatment by physician should be based on 262 GMJ.2017;6(4):261-7 www.gmj.ir Medical Ethics According to Avicenna’s Stance Azmand S, et al. Figure 1. First page of Al-Tuhfat al-sadiyah, a comprehensive commentary in five volumes on the Canon of Avicenna by Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi (1236-1311 CE). 262 GMJ.2017;6(4):261-7 GMJ.2017;6(4):261-7 263 www.gmj.ir www.gmj.ir Azmand S, et al. Medical Ethics According to Avicenna’s Stance Medical Ethics According to Avicenna’s Stance Azmand S, et al. patient’s interest: “He should not prescribe gentleness and tolerance; he must listen well therapeutics unaffordable for patient.” He be- to the patient’s complaints, explain the infor- lieves that all physicians’ behaviors must be mation he needs according to the patient’s un- based on patient’s interests, and this must not derstanding, and avoid using difficult words be excluded even in regards with examination. in the conversation with the patient”[14]. One of the outstanding points of Avicenna recommendations is the strong emphasis on Adherence to Professional Excellence avoiding any action that may cause harm to Another feature of professional ethics that the patient: “Physicians should not recom- Avicenna has greatly emphasized is physi- mend the use of poison, lethal drugs and abor- cian’s adherence to continuous improvement tive medications; they are not to talk about in knowledge, behavior, and ethics. Today, these materials except when they want to this feature is named professional excel- prevent harm or when it benefits the patient”. lence. In many parts of his recommenda- He also states that if the physician causes any tions, Avicenna mentions important features harm to the patient or happens to miss one and states various examples. At the begin- of his/her interests, he should compensate. ning of his recommendations, Avicenna has To summarize, from the viewpoint of Avicenna, explained different branches of knowledge respecting patient’s interest should dominate all that a physician should master in addition to aspects of physicians’ relations and decisions. his/her specialized knowledge. These com- prise logic, anatomy, mathematics, astron- Communication Skills omy, geometry, and music. In fact, Avicen- In various parts of his recommendations, na emphasizes the point that physicians can Avicenna refers to patient-physician rela- improve the quality of their services if they tionship. He believes that physician’s pro- learn and apply all the information they need. fessional behavior must be eligible for From Avicenna’s point of view, a physician moderation, and be “away from extremes of should exploit every opportunity to improve intimacy or arrogance; because excessive in- his/her knowledge level.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Walbridge, J. (2014). the Alexandrian Epitomes of Galen Vol. 1: on the Medical Nº 18, Sept.-Dec
    Rodrigo Pinto de Brito - Universidade Federal de Sergipe (Brasil) [email protected] Walbridge, J. (2014). The Alexandrian Epitomes of Galen vol. 1: On the Medical nº 18, sept.-dec. 2016 Sects for Beginners; The Small art of Medicine; On the Elements According to the Opinion of Hippocrates. A parallel English-Arabic text translated, introduced, and annotated. Utah, Brigham Young University Press BRITO, R. (2016). Review: Walbridge, J. (2014). The Alexandrian Epitomes of Galen vol. 1: On the Medical Sects for Beginners; The Small art of Medicine; On the Elements According to the Opinion of Hippoc- rates. A parallel English-Arabic text translated, introduced, and anno- tated. Utah, Brigham Young University Press. Archai, nº 18, sept.-dec., p. 389-394. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/1984­‑249X_18_11 389 The book is edited, translated, introduced and an- notated by John Walbridge, who earned his PhD in 1983 from Harvard University. Nowadays, Walbridge is Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at Indiana University Bloomington, his researches are mainly in the area of Islamic Philosophy, Religion and Sciences. Walbridge has been writing books and pa- pers on the Islamic culture, especially on the Islamic reception of the Greek culture in Medieval period. As examples, in 1992 he published The Science of Mys- tic Lights: Qutb al-Din Shirazi and the Illuminationist Tradition of Islamic Philosophy: a monograph about the philosophy of Qutb al-Din Shirazi, an Iranian phi- losopher of the 13th century who was influenced by nº 18, sept.-dec. 2016 Platonism, Avicennian Neoplatonist theory of emana- tions and Iranian Mythology.
    [Show full text]
  • House of Wisdom
    House of Wisdom ,romanized: Bayt al-Ḥikmah), alsoبيت الحكمة :The House of Wisdom (Arabic known as the Grand Library of Baghdad, refers to either a major Abbasid public academy and intellectual center in Baghdad or to a large private library belonging to the Abbasid Caliphs during the Islamic Golden Age.[1][2] The House of Wisdom is the subject of an active dispute over its functions and existence as a formal academy, an issue complicated by a lack of physical evidence following the collapse of the Abbasid Caliphate and a reliance on corroboration of literary sources to construct a narrative. The House of Wisdom was founded either as a library for the collections of the Caliph Harun al-Rashid in the late 8th century (then later turned into a public academy during the reign of Al-Ma'mun) or was a private collection created by Al-Mansur (reign 754–775) to house rare books and collections of poetry in both Arabic and Persian.[1][3] The House of Wisdom and its contents were destroyed in the Siege of Baghdad in 1258, leaving very little in the way of archaeological evidence for the House of Wisdom, such that most knowledge about it is derived from the works of contemporary scholars of the era such as Al-Tabari and Ibn al-Nadim. The House of Wisdom existed as a part of the major Translation Movement taking place during the Abbasid Era, translating works from Greek and Syriac to Arabic, but it is unlikely that the House of Wisdom existed as the sole center of such work, as major translation efforts arose in Cairo and Damascus even earlier than
    [Show full text]
  • The Golden Age of Islamic Achievement a Five-Part Social Studies Unit for Middle School
    The Golden Age of Islamic Achievement a five-part social studies unit for middle school Created by the Middle East Studies Center at Portland State University Written by: Courtney Ferrari, Sarah Segal, Elisheva Cohen The Golden Age of Islamic Achievement a five-part social studies unit for middle school Created by the Middle East Studies Center at Portland State University Lessons: 1. History of the Abbasid and Umayyad Dynasties 2. Geography of Islamic Expansion 3. Cities of Baghdad and Cordoba 4. House of Wisdom—scholarship in the Abbasid Dynasty 5. Scholarship, Art and Architecture in Muslim Spain Unit goal: Students will understand the role of Islamic civilization in the medieval world: its geographic and historical context, its achievements, scope and impact. Curriculum framing questions for the unit: Lesson 1: ‹ What events constitute the Abbasid and Umayyad Golden Ages? ‹ How are events in distant empires related? ‹ When and how did the empires begin and end? ‹ What events constitute the Golden Age of Islamic empires? Lesson 2: ‹ What was the geographic extent of the dynasties that made up the Islamic Golden Age? ‹ How were these societies shaped by the physical geography of their empires? Lesson 3: ‹ How are events in distant empires related? ‹ In what ways were the achievements of the Abbasid and Umayyad dynasties similar? In what ways were they different? ‹ Where did the Golden Age take place and how did geography affect its character? Lesson 4: ‹ What was the House of Wisdom and why was it important? ‹ Why did Caliph al-Ma’mun create the House of Wisdom and why did he choose Baghdad for its location? Lesson 5: ‹ What can objects tell us about the people who made them? ‹ In what ways were the achievements of the Abbasid and Umayyad dynasties similar? In what ways were they different? ‹ How did the achievements of these dynasties influence the world around them? Golden Age of Islamic Achievement: Overview 2 Learning objectives for the unit: Lesson 1: ‹ Students will be able to construct a proportional, parallel timeline to compare political units.
    [Show full text]
  • Science in the Medieval Islamic World Was the Science Developed And
    Science in the medieval Islamic world was the science developed and practised during the Islamic Golden Age under the Umayyads of Córdoba, the Abbadids of Seville, the Samanids, the Ziyarids, the Buyids in Persia, the Abbasid Caliphate and beyond, spanning the period roughly between 786 and 1258. Islamic scientific achievements encompassed a wide range of subject areas, especially astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. Medieval Islamic science had practical purposes as well as the goal of understanding. For example, astronomy was useful for determining the Qibla, the direction in which to pray, botany had practical application in agriculture, as in the works of Ibn Bassal and Ibn al-'Awwam, and geography enabled Abu Zayd al- Balkhi to make accurate maps. Islamic mathematicians such as Al- Khwarizmi, Avicenna and Jamshīd al-Kāshī made advances in algebra, trigonometry, geometry and Arabic numerals. Islamic doctors described diseases like smallpox and measles, and challenged classical Greek medical theory. Al-Biruni, Avicenna and others described the preparation of hundreds of drugs made from medicinal plants and chemical compounds. Islamic physicists such as Ibn Al-Haytham, Al-Bīrūnī and others studied optics and mechanics as well as astronomy, criticised Aristotle's view of motion. The significance of medieval Islamic science has been debated by historians. The traditionalist view holds that it lacked innovation, and was mainly important for handing on ancient knowledge to medieval Europe. The revisionist view holds that it constituted a scientific revolution. Whatever the case, science flourished across a wide area around the Mediterranean and further afield, for several centuries, in a wide range of institutions.
    [Show full text]
  • The West and Islam: Back to the Future
    Vol. 7, no. 1 (Spring-Summer 2008) Second Transcultural Thematic Issue “Transcultural Impacts and Perspectives on the Future” Perspectives from Canada, Italy, South Africa, Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia (Middle East), the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The West and Islam: Back to the Future by Samah Alrayyes Norquist For most of America’s 200 year history, the response to the question ―what do you think of Islam and Muslims‖ would have led to an embarrassing silence. Now it seems America thinks of little else. The horrific crime of 9/11, the London and Madrid bombings, images of beheadings, and terrorism against civilians in Jordan, Morocco, Israel, Pakistan and Indonesia – all reprehensively under the banner of ―Islam‖ – have led to many questions about the nature of Islam and its teachings. These events have also led to misinterpretations and misrepresentations of Islam and strongly negative stereotypes of 1.3 billion human beings. At the same time, for some they have begun to create a curiosity to learn about and understand Islam. The world has changed since 9/11. Both the ―Clash of Civilizations‖ and the ―Dialogue of Civilizations‖ have become lenses through which many begin to look and try to understand the relation between the West and the Muslim world. Immediately following 9/11, many in the West asserted the ―Clash of Civilization‖ model and pushed the argument that we are now facing a war between Muslims and the West. Most advocates of this thesis argued that pre-modern Islam is in inevitable, unreasoning and unprovoked conflict with the modern West and its values of political democracy and individual freedom.
    [Show full text]
  • History of Sciences and Libraries in the Islamic World: a Mutual Relationship
    History of Sciences and Libraries in the Islamic World: A Mutual Relationship Agus Rifai1 and Imam Subchi1 1Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta Keywords: History of science; Islamic libraries; Islam and science;Islamic civilization Abstract: This paper exposed the relationship between science and librarianship in the Islamic wolrd. By using historical method or historiography, the study is aimed at exploring of the relationship between sciences and libraries in the Islamic world. The study found that historically, the development of sciences in the golden age of Islam was followed by the growth of libraries. Islamic libraries have significant roles in the scholarly tradition and sciences development. Libraries have played its roles in knowledge production, transmission, and preservation. Islamic libraries were not only a place to store knowledge but also a center for knowledge studies. It was a basis of muslim ummah’ scholarly tradition. 1 INTRODUCTION offered a service of the collection of books or manuscripts as found in prior ancient libraries, but also as a public library and lending library, a leaning In historical perspective, we have witnessed how center and knowledge dissemination, a public space muslim ummah achieved the glory days, especially in for meetings and discussions, and equipped with a the field of scientific achievement reached in the later dormitory for scholars or students. The concept of the part of the seventh century and the beginning of the library catalog was also introduced in medieval eight century under the Umayyad rule, and its golden Islamic libraries, where books were arranged into age occurred under the Abbasid rule, and in Muslim specific fields and categories.
    [Show full text]
  • Medical Breakthroughs in the Islamic Golden Age: Models and Inspirations for Muslim Youth and Adults Alike
    Merrimack College Merrimack ScholarWorks Honors Senior Capstone Projects Honors Program Spring 2016 Medical Breakthroughs in the Islamic Golden Age: Models and Inspirations for Muslim Youth and Adults Alike Shareef Gamal Mohamed Kotb Merrimack College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/honors_capstones Part of the History of Religion Commons, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine Commons, Islamic Studies Commons, and the Islamic World and Near East History Commons Recommended Citation Kotb, Shareef Gamal Mohamed, "Medical Breakthroughs in the Islamic Golden Age: Models and Inspirations for Muslim Youth and Adults Alike" (2016). Honors Senior Capstone Projects. 1. https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/honors_capstones/1 This Capstone - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Program at Merrimack ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Senior Capstone Projects by an authorized administrator of Merrimack ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Medical Breakthroughs in the Islamic Golden Age: Models and Inspirations for Muslim Youth and Adults Alike By: Shareef Gamal Mohamed Kotb 1 Knowledge. Curiosity. Humility. Power. Perseverance. These are all virtues and characteristics which have shaped some of the most powerful and influential people throughout history. Such figures are responsible for discovering planets, quantifying the mass of electrons, ending terrible wars, and even identifying the flow of blood in the pulmonary circulatory system. This small population of individuals often had the odds against them, whether it was the lack of technology, resources, the countless naysayers, or even some religious leaders. Despite all of these challenges, they were able to develop the foundations of many branches of knowledge, such as Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Linguistics.
    [Show full text]
  • Aristotle's Journey to Europe: a Synthetic History of the Role Played
    Aristotle’s Journey to Europe: A Synthetic History of the Role Played by the Islamic Empire in the Transmission of Western Educational Philosophy Sources from the Fall of Rome through the Medieval Period By Randall R. Cloud B.A., Point Loma Nazarene University, 1977 M.A., Point Loma University, 1979 M. Div., Nazarene Theological Seminary, 1982 Submitted to the: School of Education Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Program: Educational Policy and Leadership Concentration: Foundations of Education and the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation Committee: _______________________________________ Suzanne Rice, Chairperson _______________________________________ Ray Hiner _______________________________________ Jim Hillesheim _______________________________________ Marc Mahlios _______________________________________ Sally Roberts Dissertation Defended: November 6, 2007 The Dissertation Committee for Randall R. Cloud certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Aristotle’s Journey to Europe: A Synthetic History of the Role Played by the Islamic Empire in the Transmission of Western Educational Philosophy Sources from the Fall of Rome through the Medieval Period Dissertation Committee: _______________________________________ Suzanne Rice, Chairperson _______________________________________ Ray Hiner _______________________________________ Jim Hillesheim _______________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Medicine and Religion in the Islamic Golden Age
    Portland State University PDXScholar Young Historians Conference Young Historians Conference 2016 Apr 28th, 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM The Divine Viscera: Medicine and Religion in the Islamic Golden Age Isabella A. Pua Clackamas High School Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/younghistorians Part of the History of Religion Commons, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine Commons, and the Islamic Studies Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Pua, Isabella A., "The Divine Viscera: Medicine and Religion in the Islamic Golden Age" (2016). Young Historians Conference. 11. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/younghistorians/2016/oralpres/11 This Event is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Young Historians Conference by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. Please contact us if we can make this document more accessible: [email protected]. 1 The Divine Viscera: Medicine and Religion in the Islamic Golden Age Medicine, as we know it, was born of centuries of development. In the traditional story of Western history, Ancient Greeks began that development with figures such as Hippocrates and Galen, and, inspired by Classical knowledge, the European Renaissance carried on the process of furthering scientific knowledge. However, during the Middle to High Middle Ages, Greek thought had largely diminished, and medicine in the Western civilizations spiraled down into superstition. During this era, the Islamic Empire carried the torch of medical knowledge. The Empire, in its Golden Age (700­1300 CE), preserved the Classical texts and pioneered its own advances while spreading this knowledge throughout its territories – eventually spreading back to the Western world.
    [Show full text]
  • Scientific Contributions of the Islamic Medieval Period to the West: Ibn Al-Haytham’S Legacy of Optics
    People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Larbi Ben M’hidi University-Oum El Bouaghi Faculty of Letters and Languages Department of English Scientific Contributions of the Islamic Medieval Period to the West: Ibn Al-Haytham’s Legacy of Optics A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Anglo-American Studies By: ZAIDI Khadidja Supervisor: BOUDJELIT Amina Examiner: GHENNAM Fatima 2017-2018 Declaration: I, Zaidi Khadidja, A candidate of Master at the Department of English, Larbi Ben M’hidi University, I do hereby declare that the substance of the dissertation entitled “Scientific Contributions of the Islamic Medieval Period to the West: Ibn Al-Haytham’s Legacy of Optics” in partial fulfillment of Master of Arts Degree in Anglo-American Studies is my own original work, and it has not previously, in its entirety or in part, been submitted at any university. Zaidi Khadidja Date: …. /…. / 2018 ID number 12/ 4000 114 Signature of the candidate …………………….. I Dedication: To the source of my inspiration and strength: my mother and my sister To my nephews Akram, Abd Arrahman, Rania, and Israa. I hope that you will make the quest for knowledge a supreme goal in your lives. II Acknowledgments: Praise be to God who illuminated for me the way of science, helped me, and guarded me until I reached this level. I would like to express the deepest appreciation to my supervisor Mrs. Boudjelit Amina, whose guidance and persistent help made this dissertation possible. I am very thankful to Mrs Ghennam Fatima who honored me by being my examiner and for her efforts to assess this work.
    [Show full text]
  • Tusi, Mathematician, Mathematics Educator and Teacher, and the Saviour of the Mathematics
    Tusi, Mathematician, Mathematics Educator and Teacher, and the Saviour of the Mathematics by Ali Tootian M.Sc., Simon Fraser University, 2012 Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Mathematics Education Program Faculty of Education Ali Tootian 2012 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Spring 2012 All rights reserved. However, in accordance with the Copyright Act of Canada, this work may be reproduced, without authorization, under the conditions for “Fair Dealing.” Therefore, limited reproduction of this work for the purposes of private study, research, criticism, review and news reporting is likely to be in accordance with the law, particularly if cited appropriately. Approval Name: Given Name(s) Surname Degree: Master of Arts/Science or Doctor of Philosophy/Education (Discipline) Title of Thesis: Select Text and Type Title of Thesis Here: If Desired, Break with a [Shift]+[Enter] at an Appropriate Point Examining Committee: Chair: Firstname Surname, Position Firstname Surname Senior Supervisor Assistant/Associate/Professor Firstname Surname Supervisor Assistant/Associate/Professor Firstname Surname Supervisor Assistant/Associate/Professor Firstname Surname Supervisor Assistant/Associate/Professor Firstname Surname Internal Examiner Assistant/Associate/Professor School/Department or Faculty Firstname Surname External Examiner Assistant/Associate/Professor, Department University Date Defended/Approved: Month ##, #### ii Partial Copyright Licence iii Abstract Searching for mathematicians who had contributed to the improvement of mathematics education during Islamic Era in Persia became an interest of the author of this thesis during the Master’s Program at Simon Fraser University. It was found that Nasir-al-Din Tusi has been an icon in the mathematics education of the Islamic Era.
    [Show full text]
  • Forgotten Arab Genius
    LEGACY OF ARABIC MEDICINE Ibn Al-Nafis Forgotten Arab genius – Written by Michael Hamilton Morgan, USA There is probably no one who only preserved Greco-Roman thought and European ‘re-discovery’, comparable to Ibn better illustrates the sometimes tragic then enabled its translation into Europe, Sina’s word association and talk therapy misunderstandings in the 1400 year where a more secular and open society used predating Sigmund Freud by 800 years, or al- relationship between the West and the it to spark the Renaissance. Jahiz’ theory of natural selection predating Arab-Muslim world, than Ibn al-Nafis, the Al-Nafis disproves the Western belief Darwin by 1000, or Ibn al-Haytham’s early first recorded discoverer of how the blood that increasing conservatism in 13th century 11th century forgotten work on optics circulates from heart to lungs and back Sunni Islam ended Islamic scientific and enabling Copernicus’ discovery of the again, exchanging waste carbon dioxide for medical invention at that time. And finally he earth’s orbit of the sun in the 17th century? life-giving oxygen. reminds the modern world of the forgotten Now to the facts. Al-Nafis, known for The misunderstandings he personifies mechanism of how medieval translations of most of his life as Ala al-Din Abu al-Hassan are many. For example, he is a ‘poster boy’ Arabic manuscripts into European tongues Ali Ibn Abi-Hazm al-Qarshi al-Dimashqi, for those who believe the Arab world for moved ideas from Golden Age Islam into was born in Damascus in the year 1213 and centuries seeded European discovery and Dark Age and medieval Europe.
    [Show full text]