The History of Philosophy in 16 Questions - Q11: Why Golden? episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 15, 2025 · 56 MIN

The History of Philosophy in 16 Questions - Q11: Why Golden?

from The Wes Cecil Podcast

The History of Philosophy in 16 Questions - Q11: Why Golden?800 ad Abbasid Capital is established in Baghdad displacing the Umayids801-873 Al Kindi and the Translation Movement980-1037 Avicenna Medicine, Philosophy Bukhara1126-1200 Averroes and the Al-Andalus1258 Mongols sack Baghdad and destroy most libraries and booksMuḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī played a significant role in the development of algebra, arithmetic and Hindu-Arabic numerals. He has been described as the father of algebra. Another Persian mathematician, Omar Khayyam, is credited with identifying the foundations of algebraic geometry and found the general geometric solution of the cubic equation. His book Treatise on Demonstrations of Problems of Algebra (1070), which laid down the principles of algebra, is part of the body of Persian mathematics that was eventually transmitted to Europe. Yet another Persian mathematician, Sharaf al-Dīn al-Tūsī, found algebraic and numerical solutions to various cases of cubic equations. He also developed the concept of a function.Ibn al-Haytham was the first to explain that vision occurs when light reflects from an object and then passes to one's eyes. And he was the first to point out that vision occurs in the brain, rather than in the eyes. He was also an early proponent of the concept that a hypothesis must be proved by experiments based on confirmable procedures or mathematical evidence—hence understanding the scientific method five centuries before Renaissance scientists.Hospitals, Pharmacies, medical case studies, drug testing, trade with China, Travel writing, histories, philosophy, linguistic studies, literature, educational institutions, hydrology, astronomy.Sign-up for Wes’s PATREON to get your questions answered by Wes!Plus, gain access to course materials, reading lists, peer discussions, bonus lectures, and Wes’s weekly diaries from France. Only $2 / month.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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