Science, syntax, and superiority in eleventh-century Christian–Muslim discussion
Elias of Nisibis on the Arabic and Syriac languages
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12264698 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David Bertaina (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2011 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 197-207 |
| Publication date | 2011-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0959-6410 • E-ISSN: 1469-9311 |
| Publisher | Routledge (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/09596410.2011.560433 |
| OpenAlex | W1965764917 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 6 |
Elias of Nisibis, an eleventh-century bishop of the ‘Nestorian’ Church of the East, was a Christian author fluent in Syriac and Arabic. Elias composed works on a variety of topics including theology, history, grammar, and lexicography. His Arabic work the Book of sessions (Kitāb al-majālis) relates discussions that he had with the Muslim vizier Abū al-Qāsim al-Maghribī on seven different occasions. The sixth discussion focuses on the merits of Arab and Syriac sciences and compares their languages with reference to syntax, lexicography, and written script. This article contextualizes and outlines the sixth dialogue, arguing that the text does not accurately reflect Elias' understanding of Syriac and Arabic grammar and sciences. Rather, the discourse has three purposes: to recognize scientific achievements by Syriac scholars, to strengthen the rational arguments for the Christian faith, and to recommend that Muslims should evaluate matters, including their interpretation of the Qur'an, through the use of scientific knowledge. The article offers conclusions on Elias' understanding of the relationship between reason and revelation, his views on language, and scientific learning in the Syriac tradition. Keywords: dialoguesdisputationsrefutationsapologiescomparative religionethnographygrammarlanguageChristian exegesis of the Qur'antextual analysis of the Qur'ansocial interactionNestoriansChurch of the East
Arabic · Art · Eleventh · Epistemology · Faith · Grammar · Interpretation (philosophy · Islam · Linguistics · Literature · Revelation · Syntax · Theology · Variety (cybernetics · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Classics · Computer Science · Historical and Linguistic Studies · History · Medieval and Classical Philosophy · Philosophy · Artificial Intelligence
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,14 |
| Citation span | 2012 - 2020 (9) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |