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Science and Islam: Language of Science on BBC4 Tonight

In Uncategorized on January 5, 2009 at 3:24 pm

Tha Language of Science is one of a three part series on BBC 4. 

Physicist Jim Al-Khalili travels through Syria, Iran, Tunisia and Spain to tell the story of the great leap in scientific knowledge that took place in the Islamic world between the 8th and 14th centuries.

Its legacy is tangible, with terms like algebra, algorithm and alkali all being Arabic in origin and at the very heart of modern science – there would be no modern mathematics or physics without algebra, no computers without algorithms and no chemistry without alkalis.

For Baghdad-born Al-Khalili this is also a personal journey and on his travels he uncovers a diverse and outward-looking culture, fascinated by learning and obsessed with science. From the great mathematician Al-Khwarizmi, who did much to establish the mathematical tradition we now know as algebra, to Ibn Sina, a pioneer of early medicine whose Canon of Medicine was still in use as recently as the 19th century, he pieces together a remarkable story of the often-overlooked achievements of the early medieval Islamic scientists.

Broadcasts:
  1. 05 Jan 2009
  2. 21:00
  3. BBC Four
  4. 05 Jan 2009
    23:00
    BBC Four
  5. 06 Jan 2009
    03:00
    BBC Four
  6. 06 Jan 2009
    19:30
    BBC Four
  7. 06 Jan 2009
    20:00
    BBC HD
  8. 07 Jan 2009
    00:45
    BBC Four

For more information go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00gksx4