1001 inventions of Islam.

Hobbes

Intresting read.

http://www.1001inventions.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.viewSection&intSectionID=309

Wibbs

Interesting enough, but factually inaccurate in many places. The Islamic scientists certainly gave a lot to modern science, particularly in maths and medicine(though Islam didn't "discover" the number zero like the site claims, the Indians were ahead there), like many other cultures not commonly referenced due to an often Eurocentric slant on history. Then again attributing so much to one or any culture smacks of the same centrisim and can often be historically inaccurate.

The invention of cosmetics; Cosmetics were in use in old kingdom Egypt." Mohammed's toothbrush" is another stretch tbh. Toothbrushes of various wooden kinds have been around for millenia. The circumference of the Earth was worked out by the Greeks and the Egyptian scientists. Scientific explanation for tide changes, equinoxes, seasons, why the sky is blue and why rainbows occur; The Chinese worked out the tidal stuff, the seasons and equinoxes were similarly figured out by oriental thinkers and others way before Islamic scientists got in on the act. Three course meals in Europe? The romans regularly enjoyed four and five course chow downs. They're not the only debatable claims. Many of these inventions claimed by Islam originated in the east and many were certainly brought to Europe by the Arab traders. Slightly different thing.

http://www.1001inventions.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.viewBlogEntry&intMTEntryID=2585 This seems to be a common idea too. That before Islam the Arabic peoples were little more than barbarians(that killed their children too apparently). The same Barbarians that gave rise to Egypt, Babylon etc. Again it suggests that the Islam as a faith is what made all this brilliance possible. Interesting reading indeed from a "non religious/political site'.

I don't think copying the Eurocentric model will help anyone. The fact is we've all learnt from each other through the ages(when we were inclined to listen anyway). I would be dubious of the home page which states it's a non religious site too. Phrases like "when Europeans were only eating soggy potatoes and swedes while Islam was a golden age, kinda stuff pretty much nails their colours to the mast(wrong too, as the potato wasn't around in middle ages Europe). While I do think that other cultures impact on the modern world deserves recognition a less biased approach would be more welcome. If not many would only love to dismiss Islamic influence in modern science out of hand.

jcf

lets not forget the suicide bomber, that was definetley an Islam invention

county

jcf wrote:

lets not forget the suicide bomber, that was definetley an Islam invention

now that comment could land you in hot water

arbeitsscheuer

al-gebra (Algebra) has always been the most obvious one. Lots in astrology, science, mathematics... Philosophy too.

the_syco

jcf wrote:

lets not forget the suicide bomber, that was definetley an Islam invention

I think it was the Japanese who though that one up first...

jcf

Actually your right!!!

never thought about that.

Hobbes

the_syco wrote:

I think it was the Japanese who though that one up first...

Actually first recorded suicide attack was in the Bible (Samson).

Wibbs wrote:

Interesting enough, but factually inaccurate in many places.

Actually further reading of the site and you are correct. Appears to be inventions from parts of the world where Islam is the main religion now.

Wibbs

Hobbes wrote:

Actually first recorded suicide attack was in the Bible (Samson).

That'll get you in hot water from the Jews and Christians. Watch it you!!;)

Actually further reading of the site and you are correct. Appears to be inventions from parts of the world where Islam is the main religion now.

The funny thing is that they don't mention the influence of Islam on Law. they had modern law codes of practice that were more extensive than those in the west (after Rome fell)or pretty much anywhere else for centuries and that was based on almost entirely on the faith.