How did Ibn Sina influence the modern world? Also, if you could ask him one question concerning his contributions in history, what question would you ask and why?
1 Answer
Ibn Sina, an Iranian who lived from 980-1037, compiled an immense encyclopedia of medicine (Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, or the Canon of Medicine).
It was a collection of the entire field of known medical knowledge as well as Sina's own contributions and was the most important book of its kind for six centuries.
Specific medical contributions:
- recognized contagious nature of tuberculosis (phthisis)
- advanced understanding of the role of water and soil in the spread of diseases
- displayed the interaction between psychology and health
- described over 760 drugs and meningitis
- contributed to child health, gynecology, and anatomy
Sina also created a philosophical encyclopedia, among many other scientific, mathematical, and musical achievements:
- made astronomical instruments more precise
- contributed to the study of energy, heat, light, force, vacuums, and infinity
- studied gravity, proposed a connection between time and motion
- discovered truths regarding musical harmony and intervals and their perception by the human ear
- created a treatise on minerals used by Christian encyclopedists of the 13th century
Overall, Ibn Sina's radical ideas promoted scientific inquiry throughout the Muslim community, which spread to other parts of the world. His contributions are still felt today, in that the more recent discoveries in these fields could never have been achieved had Sina not done the original work necessary.
As for which question you'd ask him, that's up to you!
