History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps HoP 322 - Do the Math - Science in the Palaiologan Renaissance
Apr 7, 2019
Discover the impressive role of Byzantine scholars in science and mathematics during the Palaiologan Renaissance. Key figures like Blemmydes and Metochites revolutionized logic and natural philosophy while integrating astrology and astronomy into intellectual discussions. Challenge the myth of constant decline in learning as you explore the surprising revival of scholarship and its impact on the rise of humanism in Italy. The intersections of science and theology highlight how religious beliefs shaped future intellectual traditions in this vibrant era.
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Leo the Mathematician's Story
- Leo the mathematician impressed Muslim captors with Byzantine learning and was offered a court position by the caliph.
- The Byzantine emperor outbid the caliph, keeping Leo in Constantinople with a good salary.
Byzantine Medicine Maintained Tradition
- Byzantine medicine preserved the Greek tradition without major improvements seen in the Islamic world.
- They had hospitals, pharmacists, and even complex surgeries like separating conjoined twins.
Astronomy and Astrology in Byzantium
- Byzantine scholars engaged with Islamic astronomical knowledge by translating Persian works and practicing astrology.
- Astrology was debated, defended, and sometimes feared as omens, reflecting complex attitudes at Byzantine courts.