Science and Islam (1) Transcendence

[56:30]

I believe that the first great achievement of the medieval Islamic scientists was to prove that science isn't Islamic, or Hindu, or Hellenistic, or Jewish, Buddhist, or Christian. It cannot be claimed by any one culture. Before Islam, science was spread across the world. But the scholars of medieval Islam pieced together this giant scientific jigsaw by absorbing knowledge that had originated far beyond their own empire's borders. This great synthesis produced not just new science, but showed for the first time that science as an enterprise transcends political orders and religious affiliations. It's a body of knowledge that benefits all humans. Now that's an idea that's as relevant and as inspiring as ever!

~Jim Al-Khalili
Professor of Theoretical Physics
University of Surrey