1. **Algebra**: The word "algebra" comes from the Arabic "al-jabr," which means "reunion of broken parts" or "completion." This term is part of the title of a mathematical work, "Al-Kitāb al-Mukhtaṣar fī Ḥisāb al-Jabr wal-Muqābala," written by the Persian mathematician and astronomer Al-Khwarizmi in the 9th century. The text laid the foundations for algebra as a branch of mathematics.
2. **Chemistry**: The term "chemistry" has its origins in the word "alchemy," which itself derives from the Arabic word "al-kīmiyā" (الكيمياء). The Arabic term is believed to have been derived from the Greek word "khemia," referring to the art of transmutation, particularly in transforming base metals into gold. Alchemy was a precursor to modern chemistry, involving a blend of philosophy, mysticism, and proto-scientific practices.
3. **Philosophy**: The word "philosophy" comes from the Greek "philosophia," meaning "love of wisdom." It is a combination of "philo" (φιλο), meaning "loving," and "sophia" (σοφία), meaning "wisdom." The term originally referred to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, covering a wide range of subjects including ethics, metaphysics, logic, and natural sciences.
Where in any of that can you find Christian influence?
Mathematics and other sciences reached Europe through several key historical events and cultural exchanges, particularly during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Here are some of the primary ways this knowledge was transferred:
1. **The Islamic Golden Age**: During the Islamic Golden Age (roughly 8th to 14th centuries), scholars in the Islamic world made significant advancements in various fields, including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy. They preserved, translated, and expanded upon the works of ancient Greek, Indian, and Persian scholars. Notable figures like Al-Khwarizmi (mathematics), Avicenna (medicine), and Alhazen (optics) were instrumental in this knowledge transmission.
2. **Translation Movements**: One of the most significant periods for the transfer of knowledge to Europe was the Translation Movement, particularly centered in places like the House of Wisdom in Baghdad and later in the cities of Toledo and Cordoba in Spain. During this period, many Arabic texts were translated into Latin. Scholars like Gerard of Cremona translated key works in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, making them accessible to European intellectuals.
3. **The Crusades**: The Crusades (11th to 13th centuries) also played a role in cultural exchange. Europeans came into contact with the more advanced knowledge of the Islamic world, including scientific and mathematical understanding.
4. **The Reconquista and the Iberian Peninsula**: In Spain, during and after the Reconquista, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim scholars collaborated, further facilitating the exchange of knowledge. The School of Translators in Toledo became a crucial center for translating Arabic works into Latin.
5. **The Renaissance**: The Renaissance (14th to 17th centuries) marked a period of renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman knowledge. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 also led to the migration of Greek scholars to the West, bringing with them important manuscripts. This period saw a revival in learning and the birth of modern science, spurred by the availability of ancient texts and the invention of the printing press.
6. **Travel and Exploration**: European explorers and traders, particularly during the Age of Exploration, encountered new knowledge and technologies from around the world, further enriching European scientific understanding. This included exposure to mathematical techniques and tools from China, India, and the Islamic world.
These channels of knowledge transfer helped to lay the foundation for the Scientific Revolution in Europe, leading to profound advancements in mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology, and chemistry.
How was Christianity a precursor to anything you mentioned or even a catalyst. It took several centuries to reach the age of enlightenment in Europe while other civilizations were thriving. I think it's interesting, from an anthropological perspective, that a so-called black forum is propagating western narratives and orientalist tropes
