Science and Civilization
In this paper, first I will present my views on the book ‘Muslims and Science’ by Pervaiz Hoodhbhoy. Then I will provide the characteristics that allowed Western civilization to outpace Muslim civilization in the development of science.
In the introduction of his book ‘Muslims and Science’, Hoodhbhoy (1991: 1) raises an important and most pertinent question which he also reverts back to in later chapters and which is central to his book that, is the Islamic faith in harmony with the science of the natural world or is there a necessary conflict between science and religion. It might seem that such a view is about less progressive times, when science, still in its early life, began to confront the idea embraced by the established religion. And to be sure, one can find examples of the persecution of scientists, for supposedly religious reasons, throughout history - from the exile of pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Anaxagoras for being bold to suggest that the sun was a ball of fire rather than a god, to the Catholic Inquisition, which involved, most infamously, the persecution of Galileo, to the Scope 's monkey trial, in which high school teacher John Scopes was convicted in 1925 of violating Tennessee 's Butler Act, which forbade the teaching of evolution. Despite instances like these, the idea that knowledge and belief are essentially and unavoidably at odds with each other is a relatively recent one, and has never been more central than today. In less progressive times, science and religion were not merely compatible, but complementary. Indeed, early Islam and early modern Christianity were keen supporters of science, and the religious beliefs of Muslims and Christians actually provoked the development of the scientific method. Hoodhbhoy (1991: 104) says that Golden Age scientific success proves that Islam is entirely supportive of science and pursuit of knowledge is a religious duty and a pragmatic necessity.
World and belief are always together in Islam.
In the introduction of his book ‘Muslims and Science’, Hoodhbhoy (1991: 1) raises an important and most pertinent question which he also reverts back to in later chapters and which is central to his book that, is the Islamic faith in harmony with the science of the natural world or is there a necessary conflict between science and religion. It might seem that such a view is about less progressive times, when science, still in its early life, began to confront the idea embraced by the established religion. And to be sure, one can find examples of the persecution of scientists, for supposedly religious reasons, throughout history - from the exile of pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Anaxagoras for being bold to suggest that the sun was a ball of fire rather than a god, to the Catholic Inquisition, which involved, most infamously, the persecution of Galileo, to the Scope 's monkey trial, in which high school teacher John Scopes was convicted in 1925 of violating Tennessee 's Butler Act, which forbade the teaching of evolution. Despite instances like these, the idea that knowledge and belief are essentially and unavoidably at odds with each other is a relatively recent one, and has never been more central than today. In less progressive times, science and religion were not merely compatible, but complementary. Indeed, early Islam and early modern Christianity were keen supporters of science, and the religious beliefs of Muslims and Christians actually provoked the development of the scientific method. Hoodhbhoy (1991: 104) says that Golden Age scientific success proves that Islam is entirely supportive of science and pursuit of knowledge is a religious duty and a pragmatic necessity.
World and belief are always together in Islam.
Bibliography: Hoodbhoy, Pervez. Muslims & Science. Pakistan: Vanguard Books Pvt Ltd, 1991. Print. McKnight, Peter. Templeton-Cambridge Journalism Fellowships in Science & Religion. The Vancouver Sun. 28 Oct. 2008. Web. 15 July 2010. Rethinking Science and Civilization: The Ideologies, Disciplines, and Rhetorics of World History Sardar, Ziauddin. The future of muslim civilization. Pakistan: Al-Mecca Press, 1983. Print.