Science and Islam : SBS Tonight 15th Nov 2009

[Enchilada]

Great BBC program tonight entitled as "Science and Islam" on SBS at 9.30pm. (Unseen by me, but good reviews)

This is conducted by theoretical physicist Prof. Jim al-Khalili, and discusses the scientific advancement during the west's "Dark Ages", especially in the mathematics and algebra.

One of the great advances was the 9th Century Al-Sufi's great astronomical works, who is well known.

Others like Al-Biruni and the Iranian Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (Al-Tusi) (1201-1274) - his Zij-i ilkhani, for example, is not as well known. They both contributed much to practical astronomy, which the west takes for granted or doesn't know.

Might be truly earth-shattering for some!!

Not to be missed…
(Watch in HD, f you can!!)

Note: Far more intelligent than the totally incomprehensible "Matrix Revolutions" (Part 3.)

[Ric]

I saw the promo for it last night, definitely got my interest and I shall be watching it tonight.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

This should be a very interesting programme. Thanks for the heads-up Andrew.

[avandonk]

We westerners are deluded if we think we 'invented' western thinking!
our number system is Arabic!

Bert

[Enchilada]

Originally Posted by avandonk

We westerners are deluded if we think we 'invented' western thinking!
our number system is Arabic!

… not to mention all the star names, especially in the south!

[marki]

Originally Posted by avandonk

We westerners are deluded if we think we 'invented' western thinking!
our number system is Arabic!

Bert

Makes you wonder why there is so much friction between the east and west now .

Mark

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by avandonk

We westerners are deluded if we think we 'invented' western thinking!
our number system is Arabic!

Bert

Indian actually. Quote:
The oldest known text to use a decimal place-value system, including a zero, is the Jain text from India entitled the Lokavibhâga, dated 458 CE. This text uses Sanskrit numeral words for the digits, with words such as the Sanskrit word for void for zero. The first known use of special glyphs for the decimal digits that includes the indubitable appearance of a symbol for the digit zero, a small circle, appears on a stone inscription found at the Chaturbhuja Temple at Gwalior in India, dated 876 CE.

The Arabic numerals and the positional number system were introduced to the Islamic civilization by Al-Khwarizmi. Al-Khwarizmi's book on arithmetic synthesized Greek and Hindu knowledge and also contained his own fundamental contribution to mathematics and science including an explanation of the use of zero.

[avandonk]

We still did not invent western thinking. No matter what the correct origins are. It was a throw away line on my part for which I am sorry. I will check to see if your assertions are anywhere near correct. Indian mythology does not pass for mathematics.

Bert

[michaellxv (Michael)]

I saw a program this year about the number 1. It made specific reference to the concept of the number zero. I was very surprised at how late the concept was introduced.

Can't remember exact details.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

I watched the recording this morning, and I think that the documentary is well presented and should be good viewing until conclusion of the series. Certainly worth the time to watch.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Originally Posted by avandonk

We still did not invent western thinking. No matter what the correct origins are. It was a throw away line on my part for which I am sorry. I will check to see if your assertions are anywhere near correct. Indian mythology does not pass for mathematics.

Bert

It's not Hindu mythology...just because it's written in Sanskrit and it's part of a Jain text. The base 10 number system is Hindu in origin, as is the number zero...at least in these parts of the world. The Mayans also made use of the number zero, but their system was a base 20 counting system. Both the Hindus and the Maya were dealing with numbers of huge size and complexity when the "West" was flat out counting past 20 for the most part...apart from the clumsy Roman counting system.

In any case, I thought the show was very good

[Enchilada]

G'day folks,

Don't forget this is on tonight as Part 2., and yes this time, it does talk about astronomy and physics.

Lush camera work let alone informative. Worth a visit…

(Don't be put of by the Islam in the title. It has little to do with religion. Apparently this aspect put many off the program.)

[Enchilada]

I've just watched these two episodes again, and I'm so impressed with the general ideas of Arabic culture. Having a strong slant to ancient and middle-ages culture astronomy has made me appreciate the diversity of our modern science.
The only question that leaves me wondering, is what would these Arabic astronomers have done with a decent telescope?

One of the most enjoyable series I've enjoyed for ages!

[Saturnine (Jeff)]

Great series,the third episode on Sun. 29/11 will also be featuring Arabic astronomy, fascinating program so far, ep. 1&2, helps to understand where the Greeks and Romans got a lot of the concepts, built on the quest for knowledge of middle eastern and asian civilisations.

Jeff

[netwolf]

I only recently came accors this and am glued. I found some information here which is quiet a interesting read in itself. Perhaps more relevant to the hobby we are in.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrono...medieval_Islam

Islam advised Muslims to find ways of using the stars. The Qur'an says: "And it is He who ordained the stars for you that you may be guided thereby in the darkness of the land and the sea."[10] On the basis of this advice Muslims began to develop better observational and navigational instruments, thus most navigational stars today have Arabic names.

Also this one is quiet good read on Vedic Mathematics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_mathematics