Yes, philosophy of mathematics was an independent discipline in the medieval Islamic world, with important contributions made by thinkers like Al-Farabi, Al-Ghazali, and Ibn Rushd (Averroes).
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Philosophy of mathematics was indeed an independent discipline in the medieval Islamic world, which had significant contributions from prominent thinkers such as Al-Farabi, Al-Ghazali, and Ibn Rushd (Averroes). These philosophers studied various branches of mathematics, such as algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, and also explored the epistemological and ontological foundations of mathematics.
One particularly important debate in the Islamic world revolved around the question of whether mathematics was a purely abstract discipline or if it had a concrete, empirical basis. Al-Farabi, for example, argued that “mathematics deals with the properties of quantity in general, without reference to any particular subject matter, external or internal.” In contrast, Al-Ghazali contended that mathematics must have a foundation in sensory experience, writing that “geometry, astronomy, and opitcs…cannot be learned except through sensible perception and the practice of manual arts.”
Averroes, who is perhaps the most well-known figure in medieval Islamic philosophy of mathematics, took an intermediate position between Al-Farabi and Al-Ghazali. He emphasized the importance of empirical evidence in the sciences, but also recognized the power of mathematics as a purely abstract discipline. In his commentary on Euclid’s “Elements,” he wrote that “demonstration in mathematics is based on something other than what is used in the other sciences. This other thing is the study of the essence of the things studied, and the pursuit of the most basic principles from which other knowledge is derived.”
Here are some interesting facts about philosophy of mathematics in the medieval Islamic world:
- Averroes’ commentary on Aristotle’s “Metaphysics” was preserved in Latin translations and became a major influence on European philosophy.
- Islamic mathematicians made significant advances in algebra, including the introduction of algebraic symbols and the development of the concept of zero.
- The Islamic mathematician Al-Khwarizmi, who lived in the 9th century, is often credited with developing the concept of algorithm.
- The philosopher Al-Kindi, who lived in the 9th century, was one of the first to argue that mathematics was an independent discipline that could be used to explore metaphysical questions.
Response video to “Is philosophy of mathematics an independent discipline in the medieval Islamic world?”
The video discusses the life and contributions of Muhammad IBN Musa al-Qarzami, a Persian mathematician who oversaw the translation of major Greek and Indian math and astronomy works into Arabic, and created an original work that greatly influenced Muslim and European mathematics. Al-Qarzami’s most important contribution was algebra, which introduced the fundamental algebraic method of reduction, completion, and balancing. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being grateful to Allah and encourages viewers to make remembering Allah a habit. The video ends with a request to like and share it with friends and family.
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Putting these scattered engagements together, it becomes clear that although philosophy of mathematics has never been treated as an independent discipline in the medieval Islamic world, Muslim thinkers came up with very interesting and profound ideas, insights, and arguments about at least some philosophical issues
Putting these scattered engagements together, it becomes clear that although philosophy of mathematics has never been treated as an independent discipline in the medieval Islamic world, Muslim thinkers came up with very interesting and profound ideas, insights, and arguments about at least some philosophical issues related to mathematics.
Putting these scattered engagements together, it becomes clear that although philosophy of mathematics has never been treated as an independent discipline in the medieval Islamic world, Muslim thinkers came up with very interesting and profound ideas, insights, and arguments about at least some philosophical issues related to mathematics.