Natural Philosophy and Revival Flashcards
What was a key engineering accomplishment of the Roman Empire?
The road system
It served as a communication system, trade route, and military deployment network.
Which two areas saw exceptions in innovation during the Roman Era?
Astronomy and Medicine
These fields exhibited notable advancements despite overall stagnation.
Who’s work is recognized as the cornerstone of natural philosophy today?
Ptolemy
His work in astronomy remains influential.
What are the two main works of Ptolemy?
- Mathematical Syntaxis (Almagest) : Supralunar realm
- Geographia: Sublunar or terrestrial realm
Both works are integral to understanding his astronomical system.
What was Galen’s role in the field of medicine?
He studied human anatomy and performed surgeries
His work laid foundational knowledge in medical training.
Who was an important natural philosopher in the Byzantine Empire?
John Philoponus
He critiqued Aristotle’s ideas, merging natural philosophy with theology.
What significant achievement is attributed to Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles?
Hagia Sofia
Their work demonstrated the importance of mathematics in architecture.
What period is referred to as the Islamic Renaissance?
900-1200 (9th century to 12th century)
This era saw significant advancements in natural philosophy and the translation of Greek works into Arabic.
What major contributions did Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi make to mathematics?
- Introduced zero as a mathematical object
- Produced Al-jabr wa’l muqabalah
- Developed the concept of algorithms
His work laid the groundwork for algebra.
What was the focus of the revival of natural philosophy in Western Europe during the 9th century?
Growing intellectual activity
This revival was marked by a renewed interest in classical heritage.
What educational reforms did Charlemagne implement?
- Attracted leading scholars
- Established scriptoria for manuscript copying
- Created a curriculum based on the 7 liberal arts
His efforts were pivotal in shaping medieval education.
What were the two sections of the curriculum established by Alcuin?
- Trivium (logic, grammar, rhetoric)
- Quadrivium (geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, music)
This structure influenced education for centuries.
What was the significance of the first European universities?
They became centers of intellectual activity
They were based on the Cathedral school system and models from Islamic schools.
True or False: The popularity of Aristotle’s natural philosophy led to its banning at the University of Paris.
True
Despite its popularity, it faced significant opposition from theological authorities.
Who was the notable medieval thinker associated with the University of Paris?
Albertus Magnus
He was known for his commentaries on Aristotelian texts.
What was the focus of the work ‘Liber Aggregationis’?
Magic and natural philosophy
It linked practical knowledge with mystical elements.
What was Roger Bacon known for in the context of natural philosophy?
His investigative approach
He emphasized experimentation as a method of discovery.
What is Ockham’s Razor?
Law of Parsimony: ‘plurality should not be posited without necessity’
It advocates for choosing the simplest explanation.
What impact did the Black Death have on natural philosophy?
Initial decline followed by economic expansion
After the plague years, new tools and instruments were required for advances in various fields.
Ptolemy’s work on astronomy was called what, and what does it mean in arabic?
Almagest; it means the best
