Watch Science And Islam

Science And Islam is a television series that premiered on BBC Four in 2009. Produced by Southern Star Entertainment UK, the show explores the historical and scientific contributions that Islamic scholars have made throughout history. The host of the show is physicist and author Jim Al-Khalili, who guides viewers through the fascinating intersections of Islamic culture and scientific discoveries.

Over three episodes, Science And Islam showcases the incredible achievements of Islamic scholars during the Golden Age of Islam, a period of cultural and scientific flourishing that spanned from the 8th to the 14th century. Jim Al-Khalili explains how these Islamic scholars built on the knowledge of ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and the Romans, and how they made significant advances in astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and engineering.

The first episode, titled "The Language of Science", explores how early Islamic scholars studied the works of ancient Greek thinkers such as Galen, Aristotle, and Ptolemy, and how they translated and expanded upon their ideas. Jim Al-Khalili demonstrates how Islamic scholars developed a new language of science, with standardized concepts, symbols, and terminologies that are still used today. He also explains how these scholars were responsible for the development of algebra and the invention of algorithms, which have revolutionized modern computing.

The second episode, "The Empire of Reason", focuses on the scientific achievements of the Islamic Empire during its height in the 9th and 10th centuries. Jim Al-Khalili tells the stories of notable figures such as Al-Khwarizmi, who created the first algebraic system, and Ibn Sina (also known as Avicenna), who wrote the influential medical encyclopedia "The Canon of Medicine." The episode also covers the construction of Baghdad's House of Wisdom, a center of learning that housed thousands of manuscripts and scientific instruments.

The final episode, "The Power of Doubt," explores the concept of skepticism in Islamic scientific thought. As Jim Al-Khalili explains, Islamic scholars viewed doubt as a crucial element of scientific inquiry, and they were willing to challenge even the most established scientific theories. The episode covers the work of figures such as Alhazen, who proved that light travels in straight lines and conducted groundbreaking research on optics.

Throughout Science And Islam, Jim Al-Khalili combines stunning visuals with clear and engaging explanations to bring these stories to life. He recounts the stories of these remarkable individuals in a way that is both informative and entertaining, relating their scientific breakthroughs to the broader cultural and historical context of the Islamic world. The series celebrates the incredible achievements of Islamic scholars by demonstrating how their work influenced modern science and technology.

Overall, Science And Islam is a fascinating look at a critical period in scientific history that is often overlooked. The show highlights how Islamic scholars advanced scientific thought during the Golden Age of Islam, and how their contributions continue to resonate in the modern world. The program serves as both an informative and entertaining introduction to the fascinating contributions of Islamic scholars to science and culture.

Science And Islam is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between January 4, 2009 and on Southern Star Entertainment UK