Briefly describe the development of western traditional culture?

When Europe is shrouded in the darkness of Christianity, the civilization of the Arab Empire, which is characterized by Islam, has made great achievements. As for the status of this civilization, authoritative historians of science have commented that it plays an indispensable role as a link between the past (Greece and Rome) and the future (Renaissance) in human history. Horizontally, eastern and western civilizations collide here and complement each other. ...

Anyone who knows the history of science knows that in history, western scholars widely used Arabic or benefited from the scientific culture of the Arab Empire. Many scientific works were written in Arabic, and a large number of famous scientists emerged in the empire during this period. Therefore, Herbert Gerschalke, a former West German historian, wrote in his book "Islam that shocked the world": "The whole world is grateful for the media role played by Arabic in spreading the highly developed Arab scientific knowledge in the Middle Ages ... Without the media of Arabic, it would be unthinkable to acquire this knowledge, or in any case, it would not have been known so early."

Stavry Anoos said in "Global History": "Western Europeans didn't have a direct understanding of Greek knowledge, and even didn't know it existed for a long time. Therefore, before Western Europe was ready to resume their research, the academic achievements of Muslims played a role in preserving Greek classical works. "

The author Robert Briffault put it more clearly in "Building Human Nature": "If there were no Arabs, modern European civilization would not have appeared at all, which is very likely; It is absolutely certain that without them, Europe cannot play such a role outside all previous stages of progress. " "The real Renaissance was inspired by Arab and Moorish culture. It is Spain, not Italy, that has become the cradle of European renaissance ... "

Gustave Le Bon clearly pointed out: "The Crusade War was not the main reason why academics entered Europe, but through Spain, Sicily and Italy."

In his book Arab Civilization, he wrote: "Arabs have quickly created a new civilization, which is very different from many previous cultures. Thanks to their good policies, many ethnic groups have accepted their religion, language and culture, even Egyptians and Indians with ancient civilizations are no exception. They readily accepted the Arab religious beliefs, traditional habits and architectural art ... "

Stanley Ryan Poole, an Englishman and author of The Moors of Spain, said: "Spain has developed into a shining model of the whole European civilization during the nearly eight centuries under Muslim rule-when other European countries were depressed, the art, literature and science of this country flourished. Scholars from France, Germany and Britain gathered here to learn knowledge from these sweet springs flowing in Moore city. " Historically, a large number of Christian and Jewish students have gathered in institutions of higher learning in Có rdoba, Seville and Granada, Spain. They eagerly learn science from Muslim scholars and then spread their knowledge in Europe. The following is a letter from King George II of England to Hesham III, the Spanish caliph (1027~ 103 1 in office), requesting permission to send members of the royal family to study at the University of Có rdoba.

"King George II of England, Gaul, Sweden and Norway addressed to His Majesty King Hesham III of Spain:

We understand that your country is very developed in science, knowledge, technology and manufacturing. Therefore, in view of our country's lack and complete ignorance in this respect, we hope to get a good opportunity for our young people to benefit from your's achievements.

We hope this opportunity will enable us to follow in your footsteps and illuminate our people with knowledge. My niece Princess Dubont and some British aristocratic women hope to benefit from the academic institutions in your (University of Có rdoba-author's note). I salute you, you gave us the opportunity to achieve our goal.

The young princess will present a gift to your majesty. We would be honored if you could accept it.

Signature: Your obedient servant, George. "

Universities founded by Spanish Muslims are also models of some early European universities, such as palencia University established by Alfonso VII in 1208 and Nablus University established by Danish Frederick II in 1224.

Although the Christian world has translated Muslim scientific works in Barcelona, Lyon or Toulouse, it is undoubtedly Toledo in Spain that occupies the first place. This city, which was ruled by Moors and Muslims for 3-400 years from the early 8th century to1century, began to become the cultural center of the whole of Europe, and its reputation lasted for a long time, especially since12nd century.

There should be hundreds of Muslim scientific works translated into Latin in Toledo. In fact, some famous translators have appeared in Europe, such as Gerald, Prato, adrar, roger bacon, Robert Chester and Herman. They gathered here and eagerly engaged in the translation of scientific works [before those translators came to Toledo, Guibert (940 ~ 1003), who later became Pope, even appeared. ]。 Global History also mentioned these translators, which wrote: "In the 12 and 13 centuries, there were Jews, Spaniards and foreign scholars from all over Europe." It can be said that they only came to Toledo for one purpose-to acquire as much scientific knowledge as possible of Muslims.

Since the works of scholars of the Arab Empire (and Arabic translations of Greek and Roman works) were translated into Latin and other European languages in the12nd century, European universities have used them as textbooks for centuries.

The history of science tells us that the science, technology and culture of the Arab Empire are the ties between the past and the future. If "architectural humanity" is extended, people will clearly see that its scientific and technological level represents the highest realm of human civilization at that time.

The civilization of the Arab Empire has made many achievements in science. It is through the creative work of scientists and scholars that the scientific masterpieces of ancient India, Greece, Persia and Rome have been corrected and preserved.

The masters of European Renaissance started with these ancient Greek and Roman masterpieces written in Arabic and lit the torch of revival. Without the efforts of Muslims who advocate science, no one would have seen Euclid's Elements today. Because the darkness of Christianity shrouded in Europe in the Middle Ages destroyed almost all the scientific and cultural classics of ancient Greece and Rome, although the declining Byzantium may leave a few words in the classics. Don't underestimate the role of science in the Arab Empire-when Byzantium was almost completely isolated from Europe's eastward March, China's "four great inventions" were spread to Italy and even Europe through Spain, Sicily and parts of France under the influence of Arab Islamic civilization at that time; The Renaissance, which laid the scientific foundation today, began in these places in Europe.

In this regard, Arnold and Guillaume compiled the Islamic Heritage to prove it. The book writes: "Looking back at history, we can say that Islam (medicine and science) reflects the light of Greece. When the day of Greek science passed, the light of Islam (medicine and science) shone like the moon on the darkest night in medieval Europe ... Because Islam (medicine and science) guided or guided the great movement (Renaissance), we have reason to claim that this civilization is still with us. "

The historical manuscripts handed down from the science of the Arab Empire are sometimes very rough, which makes some people have the illusion that their science is only the preservation of Greek science before the European scientific revolution. I'm afraid the reason for this illusion is that almost all the scientific works of the Arab Empire in the Middle Ages were written in Arabic, but today's scientific chroniclers are not really proficient in this scientific language. In addition, some books are translated into Latin or other languages, and it is difficult for readers to tell their origins over time. Another reason may be that someone "blurred" it intentionally or unintentionally.

However, some historians try to distort historical facts and think that Arab (Islamic) culture is "just the tip of Greek and Roman culture." In fact, this kind of noise that deliberately obliterates the scientific status and achievements of the Arab Empire is either ignorance or prejudice. And facts are enough to overcome sophistry.

So-called scholars such as Otto Neugebauer and delambre have gone further. For example, in their report, it seems that Islamic astronomy never existed, and Muslims never stared at the starry sky, even though the stars at that time looked down at the earth as they do today. Pierre Dion's attitude is ridiculous. According to his logic, Muslims in the Middle Ages had two identities in astronomy at the same time ―― one was a thug who burned Ptolemy manuscripts crazily, and the other was a scribe who imitated Greek science without any achievement. But how can a scribe copy a manuscript that has been put into flames as soon as possible? It's as difficult as getting Mr. Dion to slap himself in the mouth with the sole of his shoe. This absurd logic has many followers. They even tried to make human astronomy leap directly from Ptolemy to Copernicus, and this step was almost 1500 years later. Todd, who has been a professor of history at Irving College and Manchester University, said: "It's really sad to see that there are still people who believe that one can leap from the era of Pericles or Augustus to the era of Medici and Louis 14 ... It's good to start from scratch, but we can't stop at any time and jump for hundreds of years before starting again."

Now let's debunk a fable about the Muslim conqueror burning the library of Alexandria, so as to stop the story of "burning Ptolemy manuscripts crazily" and let a "pseudo-magician" like Dion be completely stripped of his disguised face in front of naive readers.

There is a passage in Gustave Le Bon's Arab Civilization: "The so-called barbaric act of burning the library of Alexandria does not conform to the moral standards of Arabs or Muslims. People will question-how can those outstanding scholars believe such a legend for a long time? This legend has been spurned by our time, and there is no need to discuss it at all. Nothing is easier than proving that Christians burned pagan books themselves before Islam conquered the world. "

Strangely, none of the gifted historians during or after the Muslim conquest left a few words about the burning of the Alexandria Library. But in the13rd century, three people suddenly told this story, especially a man named Ibnul al'Ibri (meaning "son of the Jews") who could not stand scrutiny. According to "The Son of the Jew", those 700,000 books that were burned were burned continuously as fuel in 4,000 bathrooms in Alexandria for half a year. But this statement has a simple arithmetic problem-if 700,000 books are distributed to 4,000 bathrooms according to this person, then each bathroom can only be distributed to 175 books, and if this 175 book is to be burned continuously for half a year, each book needs to be burned continuously for at least 1 day. Besides, the number of 700,000 copies is incredible in itself. Therefore, the audience has reason to doubt the authenticity of the "fable" story told by this "Jewish son". In fact, the Alexandria Library was really set on fire twice, once in 48 BC, when the famous Julies Caesar's fleet was set on fire, and once in 39 1 year, which happened to be the reign of Diodosius in the Roman Empire. Could it be that the "son of the Jews" made up a fable based on those two fires?

John williams draper bravely said in his book The Development of Knowledge in Europe: "European literature deliberately and systematically obliterates the scientific achievements of Muslims, and I have to express my indignation. But I'm sure they won't hide anymore. Prejudice based on religious hostility and national conceit will not last long. "

In George Sarton's Guide to the History of Science, there is a passage-"There are some glorious names to remind people that no contemporaries in the West can match these names ... It is not difficult to lengthen the luxury list composed of these names. If someone tells you that science didn't improve in the Middle Ages, read these names to him. They all achieved brilliant results in a short time-750 ~1100. "

Let's recall the meaning of George Sarton's sentence-"A self-righteous and hypocritical philosopher can't understand the wisdom of Islam and should be condemned."

The authors of the above documents are all famous scholars who study the history of science. In addition, there are some "hot" people who can also take the exam. I hope these politicians or politicians are not ignorant and nonsense.

The book Dialectics of Nature points out: "Euclid geometry and Ptolemaic sun system were handed down from ancient times;" Arabia handed down the decimal system, the beginning of algebra, modern numbers and alchemy; Nothing was left in Christianity in the Middle Ages. " This is Engels' evaluation of the history of science, one of the founders of Marxism.

Former US President Nixon said in "Seize the Opportunity": "When Europe was still in the state of ignorance in the Middle Ages, Islamic civilization was experiencing its golden age ... The key progress in almost all fields was made by Muslims ... When the great men of the European Renaissance pushed the boundaries of knowledge forward, they could see further because they stood on the shoulders of Muslim giants."

"9" is taboo in western music and composition circles, because Beethoven died after composing nine world-famous symphonies. Since then, Schubert, dvorak, Williams and other famous composers have also died after composing nine symphonies.

Interestingly, Austrian composer Mahler wrote eight symphonies and numbered them, but he wanted to escape the word "9", so he wrote a symphony without numbers, which was safe and sound, but later he wrote another symphony and numbered it as 9, but unfortunately he died before he finished writing the tenth symphony.

In Japan, the word "9" is taboo, because the pronunciation of "9" is similar to "bitter"