6.

a) How does Alhazen describe the difference between

faith and math and science?

Answer:

Alhazen had made crucial contributions to science and math

through his discoveries on optics and innovations in Geometry.
Although Alhazen believed that liberal arts such as math and
science worked hand in hand with religion, he did believe there
was a slight difference. Alhazens book of Optics is filled with
geometrical drawings and scientific concepts. He uses the
scientific method to figure out his problems. In math or science,
everything must be figured out and not just a matter of thought.
Alhazen was a devout Muslim who blindly believed in god. In Isla,
its called Iman when a person shows faith to god despite not
being able to see. Alhazens work is based on what he can see,
Optics, its based on what he could prove with a mere test,
however, faith is a different level. In terms of faith, Alhazen
believes in god and works to enforce it. Although he cannot see
god with the human eye, he lives. Thats what separates math,
science and faith, its a matter of how blindly you can believe.

b) In 1620 Sir Francis Bacon wrote the Novum

Organum Scientiarum (New Method) in which he
described a new way of reasoning and discovering
truth, in it he criticized Aristotle, the Greek
philosopher in this way:

Aristotle...corrupted natural philosophy by logicthus he

formed the world of categories, assigned to the human soul,
the noblest of substances, a genus determined by words of
secondary operation, treated of density and rarity (by which
bodies occupy a greater or lesser space), by the frigid
distinctions of action and power, asserted that there was a
peculiar and proper motion in all bodies, and that if they
 shared in any other motion, it was owing to an external
moving cause, and imposed innumerable arbitrary
distinctions upon the nature of things; being everywhere
more anxious as to definitions in teaching and the
accuracy of the wording of his propositions, than the
internal truth of things. b) What is Bacons main
problem with Aristotle in this excerpt?

Answer:

Bacons problem with Aristotle lies in the brand of philosophy that

Aristotle preached. Bacon believes Philosophy is finding the
internal truth in things, however, he says Aristotle ruined
Philosophy with logic. Bacon states that Aristotle was more
involved with having his teaches being literal and accurate rather
than truly finding somethings internal truth. Thus, Bacon believes
Aristotle threatens the meaning of Philosophy.

c) To what extent do you believe that Alhazen would

agree with this? Explain why he would or wouldnt
agree with what Bacon wrote.
Alhazen would agree with Bacon in this case. Alhazens life work is
based on the eye and what you can see. However, Alhazens work
also taught him that there is a lot the eye simply can see. Tying that in
with him being a devout Muslim, he believes that everything we do
has more of an internal meaning. He most likely agrees with Bacon
that Philosophy is understanding internal meaning and disagree with
Aristotle and his literalness.
d) To what extent is Alhazen a reflection of the Abbasid
Empires values and culture? Explain.
Alhazen is a symbol of what the Abbasid empire beloved in. The
largest value of the Abbasid was piety and extreme believe in God
and his messenger. Alhazen was a devout Muslim and associated all
 his actions with god. Another important value to the Abbasids was
educational innovation. Alhazen wrote a book on optics and had
innovations in geometry that revolutionized science.
7. a) In the last article we see a different Baghdad than the
one we read about in the first reading, what are some
difficulties Baghdad faces in the contemporary world?

Baghdad used to flourish back in the time of the Abbasid empire. It

was a place of cultural innovation and a large hub for trade.
However, in our current day, Baghdad is plagued with problems.
One of the largest problems apparent in Baghdad is the rebel crisis.
Baghdad is a place that is Bombed constantly. It is now always
warring. Another issue is the divide of Muslims, before, Bagdad
united Muslims, now, Baghdad is tearing between the Sunni and
Shia. Baghdad used to be a world capital, but after the USs
invasion, Baghdad is a recovering state still fighting.

b) What would an Abbasid caliph say about the decline

of religious diversity in Baghdad that has developed?
Why do you think he would say that?

An Abbasid caliph would be ashamed of what Baghdad has become.

The Baghdad of the Abbasid flourished with different types of people
living in harmony, however, the Baghdad today only has Muslims that
are fighting with each other and he would most likely say What has
this land become

c) Baghdad was the center of the Abbasid Empire,

what elements does a city need to have to be a
thriving engine of an empire in a golden age?

To be the center of the world it was, Baghdad contained anything

that made it one of the greatest cities in the world at the time. One
of the aspects that allowed Baghdad to function properly was the
trade connections in had based on its Geography. Baghdad was a
city where people from all over the world would come to trade.
Another important aspect of a functioning capital is having a
strong core government. Baghdads system of law and their leaders
was flawless the city was a perfect republic. Last but not least,
Baghdad has important sights that made it a cultural hub. The
library in Baghdad was a place in which people of all types would
come just to communicate with the worlds greatest thinkers.

d) What seems to be holding Baghdad back today

from gaining its former status as a place the entire
world goes to?

The reason Baghdad isnt the Baghdad that existed 900 years
ago is because of one factor, Politics. Baghdads integrity and
system collapsed after the US had raided the country and accused
them of false conspiracies that led to an Invasion by the US that
killed many. After the war, Baghdad go divided by Sunni and Shia
and the political system and the leaders in place was corrupted.
Baghdads former glory could have been restored only if the
political system was cleaned up.

e) Based on what youve read about Constantinople

and Baghdad, during their years we especially
studied them, during the Byzantine and Abbasid
Empires, how were they similar? Different?

The Byzantine and the Abbasid were the greatest empires at that
time. They shared many similarities and many differences.
Baghdad and Constantinople were one of the greatest cities in
history as it was cultural and trading places. The empires both
shared a reputation for strength. Both empires influenced the
creations of other nations. Something they did not have in common
was their influence on the education world. The Muslims made
innovation on every scientific and mathematical field as well as
philosophy. The constancies did not do the same. The cons tines
were more involved with military power than the Abbasids. They
were different people and they left important legacies.