Towards an externalist history of Islamic science.
The author sets out to propose a methodology for the study of the history of Islamic science. He chooses the externalist, rather than the internalist method for his discussion. The internalist method of science follows a rational course, while the externalist methodology studies many factors that influence the direction of sciences and may not be rational. He argues that narrative history and the logic of discovery are not adequate when one is trying to identify those key factors that have influenced the tradition of Islamic science. If Islamic science is unique, we should be able to explain how and when, it branched off from the ancient sciences. Only external history, involving a study of cultural and sociological influences on the development of science and the roles of various socioeconomic and political institutions can explain how Islamic science developed as a unique tradition and why it could not be sustained.
Fakir
M S
MS
University of Witovatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
D006663:Historiography; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049692:History, Early Modern 1451-1600; D049691:History, Medieval; D049711:History, Modern 1601-; D007514:Islam / Q000266:history*; D012586:Science / Q000266:history*