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This list seems very Western. Are there Eastern developments that should be added?

Cyph0n 9y ago
Some Muslim and Middle Eastern developments that are missing from this list too (off the top of my head): * Al Khawarizmi's development of algebra * Al Zahrawi's creation of commonly used surgical instruments * Ibn Sina's Canon * Ibn Al Haytham's description of optics and how human vision works * Ibn Khaldun as the founder of modern sociology.
- mozumder 9y ago
  Ibn Khaldun should replace Adam Smith on the list for modern economic theory as well.
- IncRnd 9y ago
  Al Khwarizmi should not be credited with the development of algebra. Al Khwarizmi wrote a compendium, and algebra was used at least 2,000 years prior to Al Khwarizmi. Similarly, Ibn Sina's Canon was a compendium of existing practices from the time. Those two compendiums have been extremely valuable, but one shouldn't classify compendium's as great intellectual achievements. When discussing optics of human vision, don't stop at Ibn Al Haytham, but include Al Razi and Ibn Sina. You should also include Galen, whose prior work was the foundational achievement.
  - Cyph0n 9y ago
    > Al Khwarizmi should not be credited with the development of algebra. Al Khwarizmi wrote a compendium, and algebra was used at least 2,000 years prior to Al Khwarizmi. He formalized it from what I recall. Formalization is as important as the initial discovery. > but one shouldn't classify compendium's as great intellectual achievements. You seem to be quite certain that both of these compendiums lacked any original contributions from their authors. May I ask why that is the case?
    - IncRnd 9y ago
      No. I won't say that there were no original contributions from the authors. They were written by highly intelligent individuals who knew their fields. I was attempting to say that compendiums in and of themselves are not amongst the greatest of intellectual achievements.
mbrock 9y ago
I'd put Buddhist systematic philosophy of radical selflessness in there, seems like a major strand of human development.

Some Muslim and Middle Eastern developments that are missing from this list too (off the top of my head): * Al Khawarizmi's development of algebra * Al Zahrawi's creation of commonly used surgical instruments * Ibn Sina's Canon * Ibn Al Haytham's description of optics and how human vision works * Ibn Khaldun as the founder of modern sociology.

mozumder 9y ago
Ibn Khaldun should replace Adam Smith on the list for modern economic theory as well.
IncRnd 9y ago
Al Khwarizmi should not be credited with the development of algebra. Al Khwarizmi wrote a compendium, and algebra was used at least 2,000 years prior to Al Khwarizmi. Similarly, Ibn Sina's Canon was a compendium of existing practices from the time. Those two compendiums have been extremely valuable, but one shouldn't classify compendium's as great intellectual achievements. When discussing optics of human vision, don't stop at Ibn Al Haytham, but include Al Razi and Ibn Sina. You should also include Galen, whose prior work was the foundational achievement.
- Cyph0n 9y ago
  > Al Khwarizmi should not be credited with the development of algebra. Al Khwarizmi wrote a compendium, and algebra was used at least 2,000 years prior to Al Khwarizmi. He formalized it from what I recall. Formalization is as important as the initial discovery. > but one shouldn't classify compendium's as great intellectual achievements. You seem to be quite certain that both of these compendiums lacked any original contributions from their authors. May I ask why that is the case?
  - IncRnd 9y ago
    No. I won't say that there were no original contributions from the authors. They were written by highly intelligent individuals who knew their fields. I was attempting to say that compendiums in and of themselves are not amongst the greatest of intellectual achievements.

mbrock 9y ago

I'd put Buddhist systematic philosophy of radical selflessness in there, seems like a major strand of human development.