Lessons 2 · 1 lessons · Z. Islomov, D. Rahimjonov, J. Najmiddinov. History of world religions, Grade 10, 1st edition. Yangiyo‘l Poligraf Servis, Tashkent, 2017
2
Science and religion
Textbook: pp. 9–12
GoalDescribe the forms taken by the relationship between science and religion in history (harmony, conflict), with examples.
New words
philosophy · falsafafanaticism, intolerant zeal · mutaassiblikthe Renaissance · Uyg‘onish davrisecular and religious sciences · dunyoviy va diniy ilmlar
Explanation
The relationship between science and religion has taken different forms in history. In ancient Greece, for Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, most knowledge was gathered within philosophy. In medieval Central Asia and the Near East, scholars such as al-Khwarizmi, al-Farabi, al-Biruni and Ibn Sina worked in mathematics, astronomy, medicine and philosophy while also knowing the religious sciences deeply; historians consider that in this period science and religion largely complemented each other. From the 16th century scientific activity slowed in this region; the reasons are many (economic, political and cultural factors) and scholars do not agree on them. In Europe, during the Renaissance and the age of new discoveries, some theories met objections from the Church: Copernicus (1543) proposed a sun-centred system, Giordano Bruno was burned in 1600 by a verdict of the Roman Inquisition, and Galileo Galilei was tried in 1633 and kept under house arrest. In the 20th century some states promoted atheism and believers came under pressure, which is another example of politics entering the relationship between science and religion.
Worked examples
Ibn Sina (980–1037) systematised medical knowledge in his “Canon of Medicine”; besides being a physician and philosopher he also wrote on religious questions. This is an example of knowledge fields coexisting in the medieval East.
The Galileo affair (1633): ideas based on telescope observations were judged by a Church court. Historians treat it as a symbol of conflict between science and religion, but stress that political and personal factors also played a part.
Class activity
Hold a two-minute debate on “science and religion”: one group defends the thesis “in history they were in harmony”, the other “conflict also occurred”, each with historical examples. The aim is to compare evidence, not to decide who is “right”.
Practice
1
Which medieval scholars came from Central Asia? Name three.
For example: al-Khwarizmi, al-Farabi, al-Biruni, Ibn Sina, al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi.
2
What are the names of Copernicus, Bruno and Galileo associated with here?
The idea of the sun-centred system and the disputes around it; episodes of tension between the Church and scientific ideas.
3
Why do historians avoid describing the relationship only as “conflict” or only as “harmony”?
Because the relationship differed by period and region: sometimes cooperation, sometimes dispute, and political factors also had an effect.
4
Put in chronological order: Galileo’s trial, Bruno’s sentence, Copernicus’s book.
Copernicus’s book (1543), Bruno’s sentence (1600), Galileo’s trial (1633).