Robert Merton and Ibn Sina: A Roll Call of Moral Imperatives

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4-1) ◽  
pp. 75-87
Author(s):  
Vyacheslav Vasechko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Good Reason ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Ibn Sina ◽  
Collective Ownership ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Arab Muslim ◽  
European Science ◽  
Traditional Societies ◽  
Scientific Ethos ◽  
Original Interpretation

The paper attempts to expand the authentic understanding of the imperatives of the scientific ethos given by R.K. Merton in 1942. In the original interpretation, Merton’s Code referred only to the European science of the New Age and subsequent centuries. As Merton himself and his followers have seen, the applicability of this code to other societies is not relevant. However, the author of the paper believes that the original four maxims of Merton in one way or another work effectively outside the specified space-time frame and, in particular, work in medieval Arab-Muslim science. The philosophical allegorical parable "The Message of Birds" written by Ibn Sina in the XI century is used as a text in which the imperatives that semantically coincide with Merton's maxims are found. The analysis shows that the text of the medieval scientist is transparently articulated: 1) Mertonian "communism" which assumes the collective ownership of epistemological discourse participants of the products received in its process (new empirical facts, theoretical and methodological innovations); 2) "universalism" that excludes any discrimination of discourse subjects on external, non-scientific criteria; 3) "disinterestedness", according to which the scientist builds his activities as if he had no other interests but to understand the truth; 4) "organized skepticism" according to which there is no presumption of innocence in science, and whoever comes forward with epistemological innovation must calmly and patiently prove his rightness to those who are standing in defence of the existing body of knowledge. Since the author of "The Message of Birds", despite his chosen artistic and mystical form for this work, is one of the largest figures of medieval Arab-Muslim science, his parable should be interpreted, first of all, as a text, which reflects the very process of cognitive search in pre-classical science. A closer familiarity with the nature and content of epistemological discourse in ancient and medieval traditional societies provides a good reason here to see one of the attempts to systematize the ethical rules that have actually been in force among scientists for many centuries.

The Problem of the Formation of Philosophical Prose in Persian

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 126-137
Author(s):  
Tatyana G. Korneeva
Keyword(s):  
Arabic Language ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Philosophical Tradition ◽  
Alternative View ◽  
Ibn Sina ◽  
Language Of Science ◽  
Persian Language ◽  
Arab Muslim ◽  
History Of ◽  
Philosophical Texts

The article discusses the problem of the formation of philosophical prose in the Persian language. The first section presents a brief excursion into the history of philosophical prose in Persian and the stages of formation of modern Persian as a language of science and philosophy. In the Arab-Muslim philosophical tradition, representatives of various schools and trends contributed to the development of philosophical terminology in Farsi. The author dwells on the works of such philosophers as Ibn Sīnā, Nāṣir Khusraw, Naṣīr al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī, Aḥmad al-Ghazālī, ʼAbū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī and gives an overview of their works written in Persian. The second section poses the question whether the Persian language proved able to compete with the Arabic language in the field of science. The author examines the style of philosophical prose in Farsi, considering the causes of creation of Persian-language philosophical texts and defining their target audience. The article presents viewpoints of modern orientalist researchers as well as the views of medieval philosophers who wrote in Persian. We find that most philosophical texts in Persian were written for a public who had little or no knowledge of the Arabic language, yet wanted to get acquainted with current philosophical and religious doctrines, albeit in an abbreviated format. The conclusion summarizes and presents two positions regarding the necessity of writing philosophical prose in Persian. According to one point of view, Persian-language philosophical works helped people who did not speak Arabic to get acquainted with the concepts and views of contemporary philosophy. According to an alternative view, there was no special need to compose philosophical texts in Persian, because the corpus of Arabic philosophical terminology had already been formed, and these Arabic terms were widely and successfully used, while the new Persian philosophical vocabulary was difficult to understand.

scholarly journals Medical Terms in the Arabic Manuscript Kitāb al-mi’a fi al-ṭibb (“Hundred Books on the Skills of Medicine”) by Abu Sahl Isa b. Yahya al-Masihi (the 11th Century)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-211
Author(s):  
Igor V. Gerasimov ◽  
◽  
Yaser H. Akel ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
State University ◽  
Medical Terminology ◽  
Medieval Medicine ◽  
Ibn Sina ◽  
Medical Terms ◽  
Arab Muslim ◽  
Modern Arabic

The article is based on the manuscript “Hundred books on skills of Medicine” by Abu Sahl al-Masihi from the collection of the Oriental Department of the Gorky Library of St. Petersburg State University (Ms. O 667). The author of this written monument was regarded as the teacher of Ibn Sina (Avicenna). The text of Abu Sahl al-Masihi is an encyclopedic medical treatise of the XI century. It consists of one hundred “books”, each of which is a separate and independent chapter dedicated to a specific problem of theoretical or practical medicine. The article presents an analysis of Arabic medical terms found in the table of contents to the first book. They can be divided into four categories: borrowings from other languages, obsolete terms, terms found in the Qur’an, and terms with Arabic roots. The authors of the article cited fragments of Quranic texts as an illustration of the early origin of some terms for physiological states. The medical knowledge and traditions of the Arabs played a decisive role in the development of Arab-Muslim medieval medicine. Medical terms of the Arabs, introduced into scientific circulation in the early Middle Ages, are actively used in modern Arabic. The results of the lexical analysis of medical terminology from the first “book” of the treatise reflect the scale of the phenomenon called Arab-Muslim medieval medicine.

scholarly journals ‘The Samaritan Hexameron’ as an Arab-Muslim Anthropological Manifesto: Reading of the first Chapters of Ṣadaqah al-Ḥakīm’s Commentary on Genesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-194
Author(s):  
F. O. Nofal
Keyword(s):  
Middle Age ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Ibn Sina ◽  
Arab Culture ◽  
Arab Muslim ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Time

The offered to the reader article analyzes the first chapters of monumental commentary by Ṣadaqah b. Munajjā al-Ḥakīm on Genesis (XIII c.). On the base of the conducted analysis of the Middle Age Arab-speaking theologian, philosopher and doctor, the author comes to the conclusion that Samaritan thought depends on the most important achievements of Muslim one — especially, on Mu‘talizi and peripatetic natural- philosophical and metaphysical theories that don’t become less of an issue until the decline of classical era of Arab culture. For the first time in the history of orientalism it is shown that the basic principles of anthropological theories by al- Hakim retroduce the conceptions by Mu‘tazili Mu‘ammar ibn ‘Abbād alSulamī, faylasuf al- Kindī and ‘the Main Sheikh’, Ibn Sīnā. Separately is observed the connection between the ‘Hexameron’ by Ṣadaqah and works by other Samaritan theologians: the author notices that some particular anthropological notes by the theologian made a basis for an unpublished commentary by Muslim ibn Murjān and Ibrāhīm al-‘Ayyah (XVIII c.) on ‘Grizim’s’ Pentateuch. The conclusion of the work is dedicated to the general eclectic character of early and late exegetic tradition of Samaritan who accepted Muslim study of God and human as the most important for them.

al-Farabi, Abu Nasr (c.870–950)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Richard Netton
Keyword(s):  
Good Reason ◽  
Thomas Aquinas ◽  
The Other ◽  
Political Scientist ◽  
Ibn Sina ◽  
Concept Of God ◽  
Medieval Europe

Al-Farabi was known to the Arabs as the ‘Second Master’ (after Aristotle), and with good reason. It is unfortunate that his name has been overshadowed by those of later philosophers such as Ibn Sina, for al-Farabi was one of the world’s great philosophers and much more original than many of his Islamic successors. A philosopher, logician and musician, he was also a major political scientist. Al-Farabi has left us no autobiography and consequently, relatively little is known for certain about his life. His philosophical legacy, however, is large. In the arena of metaphysics he has been designated the ‘Father of Islamic Neoplatonism’, and while he was also saturated with Aristotelianism and certainly deploys the vocabulary of Aristotle, it is this Neoplatonic dimension which dominates much of his corpus. This is apparent in his most famous work, al-Madina al-fadila (The Virtuous City) which, far from being a copy or a clone of Plato’s Republic, is imbued with the Neoplatonic concept of God. Of course, al-Madina al-fadila has undeniable Platonic elements but its theology, as opposed to its politics, places it outside the mainstream of pure Platonism. In his admittedly complex theories of epistemology, al-Farabi has both an Aristotelian and Neoplatonic dimension, neither of which is totally integrated with the other. His influence was wide and extended not only to major Islamic philosophers such as Ibn Sina who came after him, and to lesser mortals such as Yahya ibn ‘Adi, al-Sijistani, al-‘Amiri and al-Tawhidi, but also to major thinkers of Christian medieval Europe including Thomas Aquinas.

The Development of a Secure Hospital Messaging and Communication Platform

2019 ◽  
pp. 277-301
Author(s):  
Hoda Moghimi ◽  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Communication Theory ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Good Reason ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Hospital Communication ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Hospital Communication Systems

Pagers and phone conversations have been the stalwarts of hospital communication. With good reason - they are simple, reliable and relatively inexpensive. However, with the increasing complexity of patient care, the need for greater speed and the general inexorable progress of health technology, hospital communication systems appear to be increasingly inefficient, non-secure, and inadequate. Thus, this study is proposed to answer the key research question: How can ICT (information communication technology) solutions ameliorate the current challenges regarding communication inefficiencies within healthcare? To answer this question, the study will design and develop a bespoke ICT solution for a specific context using three strong theories; communication theory, activity theory and agency theory to make a robust body of knowledge for the proposed solution. Further, it will serve to establish proof of concept, usability and feasibility of the proffered solution. The study participants will be selected from medical and nursing staff.

Examining the Dimensionality of Organizational Performance in Sri Lankan Hotel Industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 101-108
Author(s):  
Geethani Kumarihami Bulankulama
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Ethical Behavior ◽  
Good Reason ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Practical Aspect ◽  
The Body ◽  
Organizational Characteristics ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Body Of Knowledge

Achieving a competitive advantage threatening manages is the creation and maintenance of organizational characteristics that reward and encourage collective efforts. Despite the importance of attaining organizational performance for competitive advantage in Sri Lankan hotel industry, there has been limited study on examine the dimensionality of organizational performance in Sri Lankan hotel industry.  The organizational performance stands out as one of the components that are important to competitive advantage, and a good reason for becoming a great company. This has created a gap in the body of knowledge and examine the dimensionality of organizational performance the theoretical and practical aspect of managing hotels. The reason for ethical failure in most of the hotels is the fact that while manages concede of culture as a powerful tool that can create competitive advantage, only few manages give it the attention it deserves. This paper will discuss the dimensions of organizational performance as a model for Sri Lankan hotel industry in creating competitive advantage that supports moral and ethical behavior. Examine the implications of this model in gaining competitive advantage, and will further critique the implications of hotel industry in terms of maintaining or expanding its dimensions.

scholarly journals Learning Approaches and Academic Performance

2018 ◽  
pp. 746-752
Author(s):  
Mohd Soffi Puteh ◽  
Nurul Ezhawati Abdul Latif ◽  
Nooriha Mansor ◽  
Yusnaliza Hamid ◽  
Sunarti Halid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
The Body ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Cumulative Grade Point Average ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Academic System ◽  
Study Process

Since Graduate on Time (GOT) being introduced as one of their key performance indicators (KPIs), certain higher education institutions are facing with situation where students are unable to complete their studies within the specified time frame. Various learning approaches have been adopted by educators in their effort to enhance students’ examination results so as to assist them to graduate on time. Studies by Tan and Laswad (2015) and Davidson (2002) have proven that learning approaches do significantly give an impact to academic performances, while Djajadikerta et al. (2008) and Chan (2011) have shown otherwise. Hence, this study is performed in order to provide further evidences concerning learning approaches and their impact onto students’ academic performance, i.e. their examination grades. Using Biggs’ (1987a) Study Process Questionnaire, 208 completed questionnaires are obtained from final semester students of Diploma in Accountancy from Faculty of Accountancy, UiTM Perak Branch, Tapah Campus. Data pertaining to their previous semesters’ grades are obtained from the online academic system and analyses are performed using SPSS. The result reveals a significant positive relationship between learning approaches and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), and it has definitely add credence to the body of knowledge pertaining this matter.

The Development of a Secure Hospital Messaging and Communication Platform

2017 ◽  
pp. 243-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoda Moghimi ◽  
Nilmini Wickramasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Communication Systems ◽  
Communication Theory ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Good Reason ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Hospital Communication ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Hospital Communication Systems

Pagers and phone conversations have been the stalwarts of hospital communication. With good reason - they are simple, reliable and relatively inexpensive. However, with the increasing complexity of patient care, the need for greater speed and the general inexorable progress of health technology, hospital communication systems appear to be increasingly inefficient, non-secure, and inadequate. Thus, this study is proposed to answer the key research question: How can ICT (information communication technology) solutions ameliorate the current challenges regarding communication inefficiencies within healthcare? To answer this question, the study will design and develop a bespoke ICT solution for a specific context using three strong theories; communication theory, activity theory and agency theory to make a robust body of knowledge for the proposed solution. Further, it will serve to establish proof of concept, usability and feasibility of the proffered solution. The study participants will be selected from medical and nursing staff.

Effects of Momentary Affect on Satisfaction Judgments

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-67
Author(s):  
Marko Tončić ◽  
Petra Anić
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Hierarchical Linear Models ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Transient Events ◽  
Time Frames ◽  
Events Data ◽  
Level Satisfaction ◽  
Source Of Information

Abstract. This study aims to examine the effect of affect on satisfaction, both at the between- and the within-person level for momentary assessments. Affect is regarded as an important source of information for life satisfaction judgments. This affective effect on satisfaction is well established at the dispositional level, while at the within-person level it is heavily under-researched. This is true especially for momentary assessments. In this experience sampling study both mood and satisfaction scales were administered five times a day for 7 days via hand-held devices ( N = 74 with 2,122 assessments). Several hierarchical linear models were fitted to the data. Even though the amount of between-person variance was relatively low, both positive and negative affect had substantial effects on momentary satisfaction on the between- and the within-person level as well. The within-person effects of affect on satisfaction appear to be more pronounced than the between-person ones. At the momentary level, the amount of between-person variance is lower than in studies with longer time-frames. The affect-related effects on satisfaction possibly have a curvilinear relationship with the time-frame used, increasing in intensity up to a point and then decreasing again. Such a relationship suggests that, at the momentary level, satisfaction might behave in a more stochastic manner, allowing for transient events/data which are not necessarily affect-related to affect it.

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