By the end of the eleventh century,” Edmond said, “the…
““By the end of the eleventh century,” Edmond said, “the greatest intellectual exploration and discovery on earth was taking place in and around Baghdad. Then, almost overnight, that changed. A brilliant scholar named Hamid al-Ghazali—now considered one of the most influential Muslims in history—wrote a series of persuasive texts questioning the logic of Plato and Aristotle and declaring mathematics to be ‘the philosophy of the devil.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Hamid al‑Ghazali challenged prevailing philosophy, labeling mathematics as dangerous, reflecting tension between faith and reason.
In simple terms: He called math devilish.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about knowledge.
Themes
faith
reason
conflict
history
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
controversial
historical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- religious education
- policy making
- public discourse
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- Why label a discipline as evil?
- How do cultures reconcile faith and science?
A Different Perspective
His view oversimplifies math’s value.