Islam and Pseudoscience

Pseudoscience includes any practice or argument that is presented as scientific but systematically violates criteria that distinguish science, particularly experimental verification. This Element discusses, in critical fashion, different ideas and approaches that combine pseudoscience and Islam. It begins by historically reconstructing the debate on Islam-related pseudoscience developed by Muslim and non-Muslim critics. It then analyzes three areas which these critics have identified as pseudoscience: i¿j¿z ¿ilm¿ or the "miraculous scientific content of the Qur'an"; Islamic creationism; ideas and approaches related to hygiene, nutrition, health, and illness. Each area is dissected, identifying the exact reasons that characterize some of its versions as pseudoscientific. After a section discussing other malpractices and erroneous approaches, which do not strictly qualify as pseudoscience but accompany and foster it, the Element ends with the discussion of overarching questions constituting an agenda for future discussions of Islam-related pseudoscience.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction; 1. Islam and Pseudoscience: the critics; 2. An analytical look at three 'Usual Suspects'; 3. Other erroneous approaches related to science in the Muslim world; 4. Thinking through Islam and Pseudoscience: questions, reflections, and suggestions concluding thoughts; References.

Produktdetails

• Autoren: Stefano Bigliardi, Stefano (Al Akhawayn University in Ifra Bigliardi
• Verlag: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Sprache: Englisch
• Produktform: Taschenbuch
• Erschienen: 31.08.2025
• EAN: 9781009608213
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0960821-3
• Seiten: 84
• Serie: Elements in Islam and Science
• Themen: Geisteswissenschaften, Kunst, Musik > Religion/Theologie > Weitere Religionen; Islam, RELIGION / Islam / General, Sacred texts, Religion and science, Religion & science, Miracles, apparitions and religious phenomena, Sufism & Islamic Mysticism, Islam: sacred texts and revered writings