Science and Civilisation in Islam (Islamic Texts Society) - Hardcover

Nasr, Seyyed Hossein

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9780946621118: Science and Civilisation in Islam (Islamic Texts Society)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 094662111X ISBN 13: 9780946621118

Publisher: The Islamic Texts Society, 1987

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'Science and Civilization in Islam' has remained unsurpassed as the authoritative statement on this subject. With his characteristic breadth of learning, clarity of exposition and insight, Seyyed Hossein Nasr presents here for the first time a full picture of Islamic science, not as a chapter in the history of Western science, but as an integral aspect of Islamic civilisation and the Islamic intellectual tradition. By means of an historical presentation, an analysis of its forms, including the use of passages from the writings of many Muslim scientists and philosophers, the author is able to convey not only a sense of the operative context of Islamic science but he also demonstrates its inter-relatedness with the sapiential wisdom on which it is based. An introductory chapter provides the reader with a necessary orientation to the subject according to the principles of Islam, while subsequent chapters survey the whole spectrum of the individual sciences from cosmology, philosophy, theology to alchemy, physics, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine concluding with a chapter on the gnostic tradition. For this edition, Dr Nasr has written a preface surveying the fields covered in the book since its first appearance in 1968, and has provided a supplement that brings the bibliography up to date.

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Synopsis:

This book presents a picture of Islamic science, not as a chapter in the history of Western science, but as an integral aspect of Islamic civilization and the Islamic intellectual tradition. By means of an historical presentation, an analysis of its forms, including the use of passages from the writings of many Muslim scientists and philosophers, the author is able to convey not only a sense of the operative context of Islamic science but he also demonstrates its interrelatedness with the sapiential wisdom on which it is based. An introductory chapter provides the reader with a necessary orientation to the subject according to the principles of Islam, while subsequent chapters survey the whole spectrum of the individual sciences from cosmology, philosophy, theology to alchemy, physics, mathematics, astronomy and medicine, concluding with a chapter on the Gnostic tradition. For this edition, Dr Nasr has written a preface surveying the fields covered in the book since its first appearance in 1968, and has provided a supplement which brings the bibliography up to date.

About the Author:

Seyyed Hossein Nasr was born in Tehran to a family of traditional scholars and physicians. After receiving his early education in Iran he went to America where he studied physics, and the history of science and philosophy at M.I.T. and Harvard, where he received his doctorate. Nasr was Professor at Tehran University and founder and first President of the Iranian Academy of Philosophy. He is currently Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University and author of numerous books including: 'Islam and the Plight of Modern Man', 'A Young Muslims Guide to the Modern World' and 'Ideals and Realities of Islam', all published by the Islamic Texts Society.

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