Science and philosophy Quote by Dimitri Gutas
““This translation movement, during the course of which almost all non-literary and non-historical secular Greek works on science and philosophy were translated upon demand into Arabic, was introduced by the caliphs and the ruling elite of the newly established Arab Abbasid dynasty (750– 1258) as an ideological response to pressing political and social problems. Once thus introduced and sponsored from the top, the translation movement found further support from below in the incipient scientific tradition in Arabic, which was developing at the hands of scholars and scientists actively recruited to the capital by the same elite who were commissioning the translations.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rise of Early Modern Science by Dimitri Gutas, 2001
The Abbasid caliphate promoted translation of Greek scientific works into Arabic to address political and social challenges, fostering a scholarly tradition.
In simple terms: Arabic translation of Greek science helped solve societal issues and built a knowledge base.
Key Takeaway
Support elite‑driven knowledge transfer.
Themes
history
science
translation
politics
culture
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- educational reform
- policy making
- cultural preservation
Key Concepts
Islamic Golden Age
knowledge diffusion
state patronage
Questions to Reflect On
- How did state sponsorship shape scientific progress?
- What modern parallels exist for elite‑driven knowledge initiatives?
A Different Perspective
Translation alone cannot guarantee innovation without local intellectual engagement.
![“Certainly the most significant of [the political, social and ideological currents playing a role in the development of philosophical texts in Arabic] was the development of Islamic theology and the intense debate among the various groups and individuals about its eventual orientation.” quote by Dimitri Gutas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e51/dimitri-gutas-30388_ideological_certainly-the-most-significant-of-the-po_149792.jpg)
![“, the core of [Al-Kindi's] philosophical enterprise was centered in the geometrical approach to the solution of all problems associated with metaphysics and cosmology. This focus explains the fragmentary nature of the translations from Proclus and Plotinus that he commissioned, just as it explains…” quote by Dimitri Gutas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4bc/dimitri-gutas-30388_business_the-core-of-al-kindi-s-philosophical-ent_270059.jpg)
