The Legacy of Science & Faith in the Arab Muslim World | Prof. Nidhal Guessoum
About this episode
The episode discusses the historical contributions of the Arab and Muslim worlds to science and the relationship between faith and empirical research.
For centuries, the Arab and Muslim worlds led humanity in scientific discovery, establishing a culture where faith served as an inspiration rather than an obstacle to empirical research. The conversation with astrophysicist Dr. Nidhal Guessoum explores that profound intellectual legacy, from the systematization of algebra and breakthroughs in optics to the creation of the world's first dedicated astronomical observatories. Dr. Guessoum bridges the gap between this historical Golden Age and the challenges facing modern science education in the region. He addresses the perceived friction between contemporary scientific theories, such as evolution and cosmology, and religious tradition, advocating for a complementary framework that distinguishes the how of the physical world from the why of human meaning. By befriending modern science and returning it to a central place in culture, the discussion outlines a path for a qualitative new renaissance in Arab and Muslim scientific production.
More episodes of The afikra Podcast
- HopeCore, HopeRot & Life in the After Timeline | Shumon Basar
- Celebrating the Heritage of Arabic & Islamic Science | Dr. Hüseyin Şen
- How Technology Is Changing the Arabic Language Forever | Prof. Nizar Habash
- History of the British Raj in the Arabian Gulf | Prof. James Onley
- How Egypt Used Theater to Fight British Occupation | Prof. Carmen Gitre
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The afikra Podcast podcast page.