Deliverance from Error

In what ways are al-Ghazali's work like Plato's Allegory of the Cave, and where do they diverge?

Al-Ghazali's works are similar to Plato's since they both involve discovering the real reality. For example, Al-Ghazali mentioned "The thirst for grasping the real meaning of things was indeed my habit" to show his curiosity in the subject. Similarly, Plato was skeptical in everything as well. However, the two works differed in that Al-Ghazali's work involved religion, and Plato's did not. Al-Ghazali's work revolved around Islamic faith, since he believed that the truth would be uncovered after death. Whereas Plato did not mention of any religious deity or faith as a method to grasping reality.

Al-Ghazzali - On the Separation of Mathematics and Religion

1. What do the selections on mathematics and the scientific description of smallpox tell you about Islamic values?

The selection states that mathematics has no connection with religious science, and it does not prove nor disprove religion. In addition, the selection goes to illustrate the issues with mathematics. The first issue being that mathematics causes people to think that everything should be as clear or subtle as math, which causes them to incline toward philosophy as opposed to religion. Next, mathematics leads people astray from religion, and promotes skepticism in religious beliefs. Overall, the selections tell me that Al-Ghazzali is trying to say how mathematics and religion should be separated.

2. According to Al-Ghazzali, should mathematics and religion be separated? Why or why not?

According to Al-Ghazzali, mathematics should be separated. In the selections, he mentions the two problems associated with mathematics, both of them causing people to detach from religion. Al-Ghazzali mentions how "Whoever studies this science admires the subtlety and clearness of its proofs", then goes on to say how people who study mathematics incline toward philosophy, and believe that every department should be as precise as mathematics.

Page 358, C&C Baghdad and Constantinople

Classical era Constantinople and Baghdad are similar in that they both are wealthy and have an religious ruler, but differ in that Baghdad is more generous where Constantinople is not.

Constantinople and Baghdod both were very wealthy cities. Benjamin of Tudela described Baghdad having "great buildings of marble and columns of silver and gold" to describe the great extent of wealth in Baghdad. He also mentioned in Constantinople, that there are pillars and lamps of "gold and silver" to also reinforce the opulence of the city. In addition, he also mentioned of an religious ruler in both areas. In Constantinople, he mentioned of an pope, who ruled the church and Rome. Similarily, Baghdad also had an absolute ruler - a caliph, who was the "head of the Muslim religion, and all kings of Islam obeys him". Constantinople and Baghdad were different in terms of generosity. In Baghdad, Benjamin mentioned that the caliph was a benevolent man, who built a hospital for the sick and provided charity for those who came to Baghdad, wether they were "sick or insane". However, Benjamin did not mention of any form of charity or kind acts in Constantinople, and only mentioned of tribute being delivered from the Byzantine to the emperor. But Benjamin did go on to mention how many merchants travelled to Constantinople, which was a busy city, and most likely important for trade. It can be concluded that during the time, Baghdad was most likely more attractive to commoners and poor people due to the charity, but Constantinople attracted more merchants. 

The Maps

I apologize for the lack of artistic ability

Map of expansion of the Dar-Al Islam

Expansion+Contraction of the Byzantine Empire

Page 350 Response

Compare the Quran's teachings on the relationship between Allah and human beings with the views of Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians discussed in earlier chapters.

The Quran's teachings are similar to Zoroastrianism in that there is judgement, but differ in terms of moderation. There is a belief in judgement in both religions, from Ahura Mazda in Zorosastrianism, and Allah in Islam. They are different in moderation, because Allah wants humans to be more moderate than Zoroastrianism. For example, the passage states "men and women who guard their private parts" which exemplifies sexual abstinence. Whereas in Zoroastrianism, the teachings tell followers to enjoy the world and its fruit, and sexual pleasure - which is less moderated than Islam. The Quran's teaching are similar to Jews in that they both believe in a superior deity. In the passage, it states, "There is no one comparable to Him..." which supports the idea that Allah is the supreme deity of the religion. Similarily, the Jews beleived in one supreme deity as well, Yahweh. The Quran's teaching are similar to Christianity because they both believe in charity. For example, the passage reads "men and women who gives alms" to exemplify charity, one of the five pillars of Islam. Similarily, in Christianity, Jesus taught people to be charitable as well. 

Justinian's Code

 1) What is the role of women in the Byzantine Empire? How do you know?

Judging by Justinian's code, the Byzantine empire was patriarchal and limited the rights of women during the time. First off, the women could not decide who they were going to marry, but rather the father or grandfather had the right to decide who she could marry. In addition, if a father were to set up a marriage where his son or daughter would not agree to, the marriage would still be valid. Yet, women did get some support from the laws. For example, men living with freewomen would imply a marriage, therefore, adultery would also merit punishment on the men. Also, women were allowed to remarry within five years if their husband were captured by an enemy. Overall, Justinian's laws gave much power to the males in the family, but still gave women some rights as opposed to none.

 2) Why does Justinian's background matter when reading this document?

Justinian's background is important when reading this document, because it reflects on the type of laws being implemented. First off, since he was a peasant, it can be inferred that he experienced what it was like to adhere to the lifestyle of the peasants--which was probably not very fair. By experiencing the lifestyle of the low class, then rising to the top, it can be concluded he would be biased and be in favor of the poor classes as opposed to further supporting the rich.