Holistic Approach to Scientific Traditions

Abstract

There are at least two perspectives which must be taken into consideration when evaluating a scientific tradition; epistemological, because it is the result of an activity of acquiring knowledge, and sociological, because as a tradition it is the outcome of a community of scholars actively involved in acquiring that knowledge. If both of these perspectives are held together in all their aspects, then we shall have a holistic approach in evaluating a scientific tradition. Unfortunately, most explanations offered for the decline of science in the Muslim world neglect both of these perspectives. In this paper I attempt to explain from these perspectives that Islam has a viable relationship with science and secondly, offer my view concerning how these two perspectives solve the problem of revival of science in the Muslim world.