What did the Islamists DO with their discoveries? Nothing!
Their civilization peaked 800-1000 years ago, and declined
leaving their 'discoveries' in the dust. They did not adapt
to the change of the trade routes from land to sea.
No one has ever disputed that Algebra is Arab thought.
But, the basis for this field comes from the work of
the Greeks, Egyptians, Indians, and Chinese which FAR
predate any Islamic enlightenment. And who can say that
the Arabs didn't take, as their own, knowledge from China or
India? Who knows what was in the library in Alexandria
in 500 B.C., Peking in 3000 B.C., Mahabalipuram in 2000 B.C.,
or even in Damascus in 1000 A.D.? Such knowledge is indeed
'ancient' and it matters not the 'pro genitor' of the
knowledge, only for what good it has been used.
Knowledge is an evolving entity, and when it stops evolving
in one civilization, it often is taken up and advanced by
the next civilization. Clearly the 'Western Civilizations'
have carried the 'ball of knowledge' for the past 500-600
years, and with apparent excellence. Who knows when the
next 'dark ages' will begin? The freedoms of today's
democracies seems to promote invention, free thought and good
use of knowledge. The restrictive societies of the past,
feudalism, fascism, barbarism, etc. did not permit the
best ideas to flourish, since there was no incentive to
produce better ideas and products. Evolution was retarded.
Today, the Islamists seem to think that their way of life is
a better path for the use of knowledge. But the restrictive
nature of their society does not seem to permit the brightest
people to contribute their best. Fully 1/2 of their society
is restricted from contributing anything but heirs. They
seem to be disgruntled that their forefathers' lack of insight
into the changing trade routes has led to their current condi-
tion. Eventually today's 'Western Civilization' will wither
and another civilization will take up the advancement of knowledge.
As Newton said, "If I have seen a little farther than others, it's because I stood on the shoulders of giants."
Those giants were Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Arab, Indian, Chinese
and all the 'ancients' of the world.
Don't take any...
Woody Nickels |
