Reconciling Islam and Modern Science: The Spirit of Averroes
Publisher
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Presses de la Renaissance
Parution date
:
EAN
:
9782750904708
Number of pages
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538
Description
***Original manuscript in English***
In the Islamic culture, i’jaz means “of miraculous quality.” The term is used widely, and increasingly, to describe Koranic verses and even prophetic statements (the “Sunnah”). Most problematically, it is how many scientific phenomena, discoveries, and even inventions are explained in today’s Muslim culture. The author shows not only that Islam and modern science can coexist rationally but also that they can do so while lessening the still-prevalent dependence on the miraculous as a religious explanation for scientific truths.
Four tenets govern the author’s quest: that science is valid and important; that through its evolution, it can bring about human progress worldwide; that theology should evolve also, making use of the progress produced by science and other fields; and that if properly examined, nothing in science is in opposition to Islam.
Using Averroes as a starting point, model and inspiration, Nidhal Guessoum adroitly and convincingly demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile modern science and Islam. The thinking is brilliant and the writing is beautiful, flowing, and easy to follow and to understand.
Author
Nidhal Guessoum : Professor Nidhal Guessoum teaches physics and astronomy at the American University of Sharjah (United Arab Emirates). He received his Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of California at San Diego and has since had an active international career as a scientist, thinker, and speaker. He is the recipient of numerous research grants and awards; the author of three previous books, including The Determination of Lunar Crescent Months and the Islamic Calendar (Dar al-Taliaa, Lebanon, 1997) and The Story of the Universe (Dar al-Maarifa, Algeria, 1998, for the first edition and Dar al-Multaqa, Lebanon, 2006, for the third edition); and coeditor of Applications of Astronomical Calculations to Islamic Issues (Proceedings of the First Emirates International Astronomical Conference, Center for Documentation and Research, Abu Dhabi, 2007).
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