Rationalism in Islam and its Role in the Development of Science in Muslim Civilization

Abstract

Today, within the framework of the Islamic religion, one can often find statements that the problem of faith and reason is opposed, and priority in their interplay is given only to faith. This conclusion is supported by the phenomena of conservatism and bare populism, which are widespread in the vast majority of Muslim countries today, calling for a return to the values and traditions of medieval society. In the history of Science and philosophy, medieval Islamic philosophy and science have a particularly great place in the spiritual search of mankind on the path of truth and, due to their depth and consistency, have also had a great influence on subsequent philosophical (European) searches. However, the dominance of a europocentric approach in the history of philosophy and science reduced this issue, considering medieval Muslim thinkers only as commentators of ancient Greek philosophy and science. The article discusses the relationship between reason and faith in medieval Muslim civilization, the role of rationalism in the development of religious and scientific knowledge. In addition, the historical, social and political factors that contributed to the formation and development of scientific traditions in Islam are analyzed, and the contribution and place of Muslim scientists in the development of universal science is evaluated.