Locating the sciences in eighteenth-century Egypt.

Area of Science:

• History of Science
• Scientific Practices in 18th Century Egypt
• Natural History
• History of Scholarship

Background:

• The late 18th century saw European scientific endeavors in Egypt, notably Bonaparte's Commission des sciences et des arts and the Institut d'Égypte.
• Simultaneously, local Cairene religious scholars and military elites were active patrons, practitioners, and producers of scientific knowledge, evidenced by numerous manuscripts.

Observation:

• The study analyzes the writings of French naturalist Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire and Cairene scholar Abd al-Rahmān al-Jabartī.
• It examines Egypt as a locale for scientific practice, the role of urban palatial houses used by the Institut d'Égypte, and their pre-invasion significance.
• The research explores the distinct conceptions of the relationship between science and social politics held by Saint-Hilaire and al-Jabartī.

Findings:

• Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire sought scientific neutrality amidst political turmoil, ultimately focusing on Paris for natural history practice.
• Abd al-Rahmān al-Jabartī embraced the entanglement of knowledge and power, envisioning scientific expertise rooted in Cairene society.
• Al-Jabartī's localized scientific expertise proved adaptable, as demonstrated by Saint-Hilaire's own work.

Implications:

• The study highlights the complex interplay of European and local scientific activities in 18th-century Egypt.
• It contrasts the universalizing tendencies of European science with the context-specific development of local expertise.
• The findings suggest that scientific practice is deeply intertwined with social and political contexts, influencing its perceived universality and adaptability.