Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Reason and Spirit in Al-Biruni’s Philosophy of Mathematics

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Reason, Spirit and the Sacral in the New Enlightenment

Part of the book series: Islamic Philosophy and Occidental Phenomenology in Dialogue ((IPOP,volume 5))

Abstract

Much have been written about al-Biruni’s contribution to the development of astronomy and materia medica that has earned him a distinguished place in the history of science. Yet little is known about his philosophy of mathematics, especially pertaining to the interplay of reason and spirit in his view of the foundation of mathematics. In this article, the author will examine al-Biruni’s position regarding the matter based on some of his writings, in particular, his Kitab al-tafhim li-awa’il sina‘at al-tanjim (The Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • al-Biruni, al-Athar al-baqiya min al-qurun al-khaliya. English trans. By Edward Sachau, The Chronology of Ancient Nations (MinervaGMBH, London, 1879).

    Google Scholar 

  • al-Biruni, al-Qanun al-Masudi (Canon Masudicus) (Osmania Oriental Publications Bureau, Hyderabad, 1954–1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • al-Biruni, Kitab al-Jamahir fi marifat al-jawahir. Ed. By F. Krenkow (Osmania Oriental Publications Bureau, Hyderabad-Dn, 1936).

    Google Scholar 

  • al-Biruni, Kitab al-Saydanah fi’l –tibb. Ed. and trans. By hakim Mohammed Said et al. (Hamdard Academy, Pakistan, 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  • al-Biruni, Kitab al-tafhim li-awa’il sina’at al-tanjim. Tehran: Jalal huma’l, 1940. English trans. By R. Ramsay Wright, The Book of Instruction in the Elements of the Art of Astrology (Luzca, London, 1934).

    Google Scholar 

  • al-Biruni, Kitab fi ifrad al-maqal fi amr al-zilal. (Osmania Oriental Publications Bureau, Hyderabad-Dn, 1948). Ed. and trans. As The Exhaustive Treatise on Shadows (University of Aleppo, E.S. Kennedy. Syria, 1976).

    Google Scholar 

  • al-Biruni, Kitab fi tahqiq ma li’l Hind. English trans. By Edward Sachau, Alberuni’s India (Trubner, London, 1888).

    Google Scholar 

  • al-Biruni, Tahdid nihayat al-amakin li-tashih. English trans. By Jamil Ali, The Determination of the Coordinates of Cities, al-Beruni’s Tahdid al-Amakin (American University of Beirut, Beirut, 1967).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National University of Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    A.L. Samian

Authors
  1. A.L. Samian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Phenomenological Research And, Learning, The World Institute For, 1 Ivy Pointe Way, Hanover, 03755, New Hampshire, USA

    A-T. Tymieniecka

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Samian, A. (2011). Reason and Spirit in Al-Biruni’s Philosophy of Mathematics. In: Tymieniecka, AT. (eds) Reason, Spirit and the Sacral in the New Enlightenment. Islamic Philosophy and Occidental Phenomenology in Dialogue, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9612-8_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics