The Golden Age, Science In Islamic Civilisation

9:26

31 Mar 2012

History of Science

Jonathan Bloom

Ahmet Karamustafa

This segment of the documentary covers the “House of Wisdom” (Bayt al-Hikma) and the role it played in the development of knowledge in the Islamic empire of the 10th century.

Topics include libraries, the scientific method, paper-making, optometry, medicine and germ theory.

This clip is from the PBS documentary, “Islam, Empire of Faith“, and includes segments with Jonathan Bloom (Boston University), Ahmet Karamustafa (Washington University), and George Saliba (Columbia University).

Evaluation:

The material on Islam generally conforms with contemporary mainstream understandings.

The science presented conforms with modern understanding.

The portrayal of Indian/Hindu numerals in the House of Wisdom is not considered accurate by a majority of historians.