Science Outside the West

The fact that the Scientific Revolution was centered in western Europe does not mean that societies outside of Europe were not interested in science or that they did not help make the Scientific Revolution possible. After all, it was Muslim scholars who preserved Greco-Roman literature and philosophy during the early Middle Ages, providing the West with a critical intellectual foundation for later accomplishments. Moreover, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Chinese rulers all showed considerable interest in the study of nature, offering their patronage to natural philosophers and astronomers. Finally, these same societies all made crucial contributions to the development of scientific and navigational instruments. All of these elements can be seen in this image of Ottoman astronomers at the Galata Observatory, a center of astronomical inquiry built by the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–1566). As you examine the image, think about what it tells you about Ottoman science in the sixteenth century. What clues do the details in the image offer about the scope and focus of Ottoman scientific inquiry?

READING AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS