Robert Morrison

Gebundenes Buch

Islam and Science

The Intellectual Career of Nizam al-Din al-Nisaburi

Beschreibung

In examining the work of eminent fourteenth century Iranian Shiite scholar Nizam al-Din al-Nisaburi, this book is the first rigorous attempt to explain the cross-fertilization of scientific and religious thought in Islamic civilization. Nisaburi did not consider himself a scientist alone, being commissioned by his patrons to work in a variety of fields. Islam and Science examines in detail the relationship between the metaphysics of Nisaburi's science, and statements he made in his Qur'an commentary and in other non-scientific writings. Sources suggest that Nisaburi was inspired to begin his scientific career by the inclusion of basic science in a religious (madrasa) education. By mid-career, he had found methodological similarities between theoretical astronomy and Islamic jurisprudence. Morrison concludes that while Nisaburi believed science could give one a taste of God's knowledge, he realised that the study of science and natural philosophy alone could not lead him to a spiritual union with God. Only Sufi practice and Sufi theory could accomplish that. Morrison's work is remarkable in synthesizing the history of Islamic science with other areas of Islamic studies. It will be of interest to students and scholars of religion and the history of science, as well as readers with a more general interest in Middle Eastern studies. Winner of the Iranian World Prize for Book of the Year in Islamics Studies 2009

Autor

Robert Morrison, OAM CF is an Australian zoologist and science communicator. He co-hosted The Curiosity Show which aired on television from 1972 to 1990. He has written or co-written 48 books about science for the general public. Morrison is a Professorial Fellow in the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work at Flinders University. He is also a past President of the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia (now publicized as "Zoos SA"). His research has focused on comparative anatomy of the mammalian olfactory system, the identification of animals from tracks and traces, the design of artificial nesting boxes, and techniques to breed animals and birds which face extinction in their native habitats in order to reintroduce them in the wild. He was called as an expert witness concerning dingoes in the case of Azaria Chamberlain's death. He is a founding member of the Friends of Science in Medicine, and he served as its Vice President for many years. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to conservation and science communication. In 2008 he was named the Senior Australian of the Year for South Australia.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Routledge
• Seitenzahl: 312
• Erscheinungstermin: 17. September 2007
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 240mm x 161mm x 21mm
• Gewicht: 634g
• ISBN-13: 9780415772341
• ISBN-10: 0415772346
• Artikelnr.: 23593086

Rezensionen

'Islam and Science, is the first important study of the works of Nizam al-Din al-A'raj al-Nisaburi (1270-1330), an Iranian polymath born in Nishapur to a Shi'i family.]...[Morrisson's book is most interesting and should attract the attention of all scholars interested in Islamic thought. To the best of my knowledge, it is the first serious appraoch to the historical interactions between science and Islam.]...[The book can be read without too much knowledge of the technical astronomy. The volume is well presented with a complete chronology of al-Nisaburi's works. ' - Julio Samso, International Journal of Middle East Studies. 42 (2010)