The sciences in Islamic societies (750–1800)

Recent trends in Middle East economic history: Cultural factors and structural change in the medieval period 650–1500 (Part one)

“…Translators, historians, physicians, philosophers, literati, scientists, mathematicians, and other private individuals were recognized and rewarded in monetary terms, employment, and social status (Ashtor, ). “Private” patronage of scholars specializing in the natural sciences took place at the court in Baghdad during the Abbasid Empire, with their activities being paid for by the court, a practice continued under the Ottomans (Brentjes & Morrison, ; Brentjes, ). It is hard to reconcile continued scholarly activity and the enduring status of intellectuals with decline or stagnation attributed to a ‘collectivist’ society.…”

“…"Private" patronage of scholars specializing in the natural sciences took place at the court in Baghdad during the Abbasid Empire, with their activities being paid for by the court, a practice continued under the Ottomans (Brentjes & Morrison, 2010;Brentjes, 2009). It is hard to reconcile continued scholarly activity and the enduring status of intellectuals with decline or stagnation attributed to a 'collectivist' society.…”

“…The efficiency of the knowledge diffusion process is manifested by the speed and the quality of the diffusions. New knowledge, which was developed in the Middle East, was diffused quickly and efficiently to North Africa and Iberia from where Arabic science and technology passed to medieval Europe (Brentjes & Morrison, 2010;Vernet, 2016). ENDNOTES 1 'Cultural beliefs' is the term used by economic historians to refer to a variety of cultural factors that affect economic development.…”

“…Instead umma appears in Von Grunebaum's entry in the Cambridge History of Islam , “The sources of Islamic civilization,” without being associated with a ‘collective’ mentality (Greif, ; Von Grunebaum, ). On the other hand, there is evidence from the Middle East of society and the state rewarding individual achievements and of social and state's recognition of innovation (Al‐Hasan & Hill, ; Brentjes & Morrison, ; Gutas, ). Translators, historians, physicians, philosophers, literati, scientists, mathematicians, and other private individuals were recognized and rewarded in monetary terms, employment, and social status (Ashtor, ).…”

“…Chaney's claim that religious authorities managed to curtail scientific exploration or that they had the intention to do so, stands in contrast to recent work showing that the reverse was happening. Historians of Islamic sciences have long argued that the study of the natural sciences continued well beyond the tenth century in Islamic societies and that claims to the contrary are baseless (Brentjes & Morrison, ; Dallal, ). Innovations in Islamic sciences continued, enabling the diffusion of natural sciences, philosophy and medicine to medieval Europe (Vernet, ).…”