Science & Technology Across Civilization PDF

CHAP 5: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ACROSS CIVILIZATION 1. Emergence of Science in the Arab World 2 Superpowers Byzantine Empire the Neo-Persian (Sassanian Empire) Rapid spread of Islam (to east & west) Challenge to 2 superpowers Impact on the development of knowledge 2. Conti...

CHAP 5: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ACROSS CIVILIZATION 1. Emergence of Science in the Arab World 2 Superpowers Byzantine Empire the Neo-Persian (Sassanian Empire) Rapid spread of Islam (to east & west) Challenge to 2 superpowers Impact on the development of knowledge 2. Continuity of Science Development 1. Mesopotamia Sumerian, Ur, Uruk, Babylon achievements : ship cruises wheel creation standard use size in scales 2. Ancient Egypt founded by the Mesopotamia achievement : sun clock (Sundial) pyramid Papyrus as writing material 3. Greek Legation impact on Islam : Appearance of philosophers & scientists Scientific based reasoning & observe method  achievement : mathematics geometry astronomy 3. Translation as a Source of Knowledge Peak during era of the Caliph al-Ma'mun Essential for preserving & expanding knowledge High fees for translators (paid in gold) 4. Center for Scientific Development 1. Baghdad (Abbasid empire) House of Wisdom (Baitul Hikmah) Believed to be the most complete & most systematic first ever library purpose : To promote collection, translation, compilation of old manuscripts & new works of Islamic//Non-Muslim scholars intellectual activities : Collection & compilation of manuscripts Translation activities Copying of books 2. Damascus (the Islamic Kingdom) Ayyubid Era Madrasah al-Shauhiyyah as center for teaching 4 law schools Leadership of Salahuddin al-Ayyubi Established 20 schools in Damascus Created gathering places for Sufis 3. Cairo (Fatimid Dynasty) Al-Azhar Mosque Became a continuous Islamic university until now Enhanced from a place of worship to a university during the caliphate of al- Aziz  4. Cordova (Umayyad Dynasty) Universities in major cities, schools in small towns Mosque reserved as learning centers During al-Hakam II's reign : Became Europe's premier center of study & culture for muslims , christians , jews University of Cordova most famous higher learning institution 5. Four Main Field of Scientific Development by the Muslim Scientists 1. Medicine Hunayn Ibn Ishak Translated over 100 books (Greek & Suryani) into Arabic Director of Baitul Hikmah Al-Razi Wrote 200 medical books small pox, measles, al-Hawi 2. Astronomy Abdul Rahamn al-Sufi First person to write about astronomy Catalogued the stars for more than 1000 types that has been used in the west Al-Zarqali Created many astronomical tools Kept the water clock to show day & night Organized the names of days for each month 3. Mathematics Islamic mathematicians focuses on the 2 number system Alphebetical system using Arabic letters Indian-Nomenclature system Al-Khwarizmi  Father of Algebra Allows mathematicians to form a common symbol representing a number Other development : Geometry Study on lines, shapes, spaces Allow study of astronomy, architectural art 4. Engineering Al-Jazari water-conveying machine Ibn Haytam Created mechanical water clock Other developments : Irrigation system in agriculture