Religion and Science in the Eastern Mediterranean

Area of Science:

• Historical Science
• History of Science
• Islamic Science
• Orthodox Christianity

Background:

• The study examines the scholarly dialogue between science and Orthodox Christianity.
• It contextualizes this within broader discussions of Islam and science.
• Highlights less renowned scientific developments like prophetic medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To remind scholars of science in Islamic societies about diverse contexts of science-Islam interactions.
• To identify parallels in how Greek Orthodox and Ottoman Muslim scholars engaged with Western European science.
• To argue for a more complex understanding of post-1453 scientific exchange.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of scholarly engagement with Western science.
• Examination of the concept of mathematical humanism in different cultural contexts.
• Historical review of scientific exchange between Eastern and Western societies.

Main Results:

• Parallels exist in how Greek Orthodox and Ottoman Muslim scholars mediated Western scientific developments.
• Both groups propounded a form of mathematical humanism.
• The nature of post-1453 scientific exchange is more intricate than previously suggested.

Conclusions:

• The conversation between Islam and science is context-dependent.
• Scholarly exchange between Greek Orthodox Christians and Muslims/Jews post-1453 was complex.
• There were distinct scientific and intellectual traditions in the East.