Science and Islam

[karohemd]

Watched the programme mentioned in yesterday's post on iplayer last night. Very fascinating. From the earliest stages of scientific method through the invention of algebra (Itself an arabic word) to medieval medicine (humours and all that). Also interesting from a linguistic point of view, the way Arabic was spread not only as a means of communication but also for forming a common base for scientists in different countries. They even adopted the script, adding the dots and extra squiggles common today so non native speakers would know how to pronounce it properly. The language also has barely changed so that texts written over 1,500 years ago can still be read easily by anyone who understands Arabic.

Comments

[skorpionuk.livejournal.com]

I watched it last night, partly because of your mention, and cos Col had spotted it - very good programme, got me all enthused!

I loved the Translation Movement (School?) bits best. Esp the bit where they explained when they made a Who's Who of the intelligentsia of the times, no fewer than 70 translators were on the list! See, I knew it was a great and honourable profession to go into.

Now, if I could transform this into enthusiasm for my current project, it would all be good...

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Those translators were also paid SHITLOADS of money, unlike today.

if I could transform this into enthusiasm for my current project, it would all be good
Haha, tell me about it.

[skorpionuk.livejournal.com]

Heh, well it compares favourably to admin, I have to say! Although some old-fashioned patronage wouldn't be something I'd reject outright, either.

Soooo slooooow today... more coffee maybe?

[davegodfrey.livejournal.com]

There was an "In Our Time" a couple of months ago about the Translation Movement. There was one before that on the Abassid Caliphs, and on Avicenna himself, though I think that mainly dealt with philosophy rather than medicine.

[skorpionuk.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link, and no thanks for aiding my procrastination further ;-)

[gbsteve.livejournal.com]

It was pretty good.

Talking of iPlayer. I'm listening to Anglomania at the moment, why Germans love the UK. It all seems to be rather romantic and royalist.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Germans, especially women, have a well-known love of all things royal, not just the Queen but also other European royal houses.

Bayreuth is about 40 miles from my hometown.

My mum won't miss a single Rosamunde Pilcher film so this is painfully true...