Encyclopedia of the History of Arabic Science: Volume 3 Technology, Alchemy and Life Sciences

by Roshdi Rashed

Overview

The Arabic contribution is fundamental to the history of science, mathematics and technology, but until now no single publication has offered an up-to-date synthesis of knowledge in this area. In three fully-illustrated volumes the Encyclopedia of the History of Arabic Science documents the history and philosophy of Arabic science from the earliest times to the present day. The set as a whole covers seven centuries. Thirty chapters, written by an international team of specialists from Europe, America, the Middle East and Russia cover such areas as astronomy, mathematics, music, engineering, nautical science and scientific institutions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134977239
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/08/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	1242
File size:	42 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Roshdi Rashed currently holds the positions of Directeur de recherche au C.N.R.S. and Director of the Centre d'Histoire des Sciences et des Philosophies Arabes et Medievales ans Professor at the University of Tokyo. His most recent publications include: The Development of Arabic Mathematics: Between Arithmetic and Algebra, Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, 156 (Dordrecht/Boston/London, 1994) and Optique et mathematique. Recherches sur l'histoire de la pensee scientifique en arabe, Varriorum Reprints, 1992.

Table of Contents

1) Astronomy - Theoretical and Applied 2) Mathematics and the Physical Sciences 3) Technology, Alchemy and Life Sciences VOLUME 1: Preface 1 General survey of Arabic astronomy 2 Eastern Arabic astronomy between the eighth and the eleventh centuries 3 Arabic planetary theories after the eleventh century AD 4 Astronomy and Islamic society: Qibla, gnomonics and timekeeping 5 Mathematical geography 6 Arabic nautical science 7 The development of Arabic science in Andalusia 8 The heritage of Arabic science in Hebrew 9 The influence of Arabic astronomy in the medieval West. VOLUME 2: 10 Numeration and arithmetic 11 Algebra 12 Combinatorial analysis, numerical analysis, Diophantine analysis and number theory 13 Infinitesimal determinations, quadrature of lunules and isoperimetric problems 14 Geometry 15 Trigonometry 16 The influence of Arabic mathematics in the medieval West 17 Musical science 18 Statics 19 Geometrical optics 20 The emergence of physiological optics 21 The Western reception of Arabic optics. VOLUME 3:22 Engineering 23 Geography 24 Botany and agriculture 25 Arabic alchemy 26 The reception of Arabic alchemy in the West 27 Medicine 28 The influence of Arabic medicine in the medieval West 29 The scientific institutions in the medieval Near East 30 Classifications of the sciences, Postface: approaches to the history of Arabic science

Editorial Reviews

During the early Middle Ages, European science declined, but scientific activity continued to grow in Arabic-speaking nations. Renaissance scientists were heavily dependent on Arabic research, with most of their scientific works initially being wholly derived from Arabic studies. Because of its important influence on Western science and thought, a work like this encyclopedia is long overdue. Divided into three volumes (AstromyTheoretical and Applied; Mathematics and the Physical Sciences; and Technology, Alchemy, and Life Sciences), each with its own bibliography, the set covers the history of Arabic science in 30 long chapters, written by specialists well known and established in their fields. Each article discusses a specific subject area such as geometry or medicine and looks at the development of that science. This work would have been considerably improved by an article devoted to the Arabic philosophy of science and the significant role of religion in science. Still, it will be very valuable to larger public and research libraries wanting a broad-based collection in the history of science.Eric D. Albright, Galter Health Sciences Lib., Northwestern Univ., Chicago

Library Journal

The enlightenment tends to consume the oxygen around it like any flame, but in science history "the light" was lit by Arabic scholars well before the 18th century. This three-volume encyclopedia resurrects Arabic contributions from as early as the 7th century through the 17th century in the areas of theoretical and applied astronomy, mathematics and physical sciences, technology (engineering), alchemy, and the life sciences (medicine, botany, agriculture). The contributing historians not only trace the evolution of the scientific principles, but also their migrations into the arts and to other countries, particularly Spain. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

'Each of the three volumes in the Encyclopedia of the History of Arabic Science contains a full bibliography of items quoted, making the work an indispensable tool for those eager for an introduction to the history of Arabic sciences including medicine.' - Society for Ancient Medicine Review

'There is a tremendous amount of material in here of direct relevance to anyone teaching biology whether in school, college or university.' - Journal of Biological Education

'They provide what has never been available to the general public before.' - Journal for the History of Science

'The Encyclopedia of the History of Arabic Science is the first current effort to describe and analyze a broad range of disciplianry topics in Arabic writings, instruments, and occasionally practices. Thirty chapters ... permit the nonspecialist reader to glimpse the rich heritage of a substantial part of Arabic scholarly culture.' - Technology and Culture

From the Publisher