Science and Philosophy: The Arabs’ Contribution Class 11 – Concept, MCQs & Notes PDF
Topic covered: Science and Philosophy: The Arabs’ Contribution class 11 notes and MCQs questions: Changing Cultural Traditions (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).
We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 11th about “Science and Philosophy: The Arabs’ Contribution“ from the NCERT history notes for class 11th chapter 5 “Changing Cultural Traditions”.
Download the NCERT History for Class 11th Chapter 5 Changing Cultural Traditions Notes PDF
Download the NCERT History for Class 11th Chapter 5 Changing Cultural Traditions Notes PDF if you want a clear and readable explanation of how ideas, art, and knowledge began to change in medieval Europe. These notes walk you through the revival of Italian cities, the growth of universities, and the rise of humanism, showing how people started to look at history, science, and philosophy in new ways. You will also learn about the Arab contribution to knowledge, realistic art, architecture, the first printed books, and changing views about human beings and women. The chapter ends with important religious debates and scientific ideas like the Copernican Revolution, helping you understand how people began to read and interpret the universe differently.
Science and Philosophy: The Arabs’ Contribution
1. Knowledge of Greek and Roman Writings in the Middle Ages:
- Writings of Greeks and Romans were known to monks and clergymen
- These works were not widely circulated during the Middle Ages
2. Revival of Classical Learning in the Fourteenth Century:
- Scholars began reading translated works of Greek philosophers
- Important Greek writers included Plato and Aristotle
3. Role of Arab Translators:
- European scholars were indebted to Arab translators
- Arab scholars preserved and translated ancient manuscripts
- Plato was known as Aflatun and Aristotle as Aristu in Arabic
4. Transmission of Knowledge through Arabic and Persian Works:
- European scholars read Greek texts in Arabic translation
- Greeks translated works of Arabic and Persian scholars
- These translations helped spread knowledge across Europe
5. Fields of Knowledge Transmitted:
- Works covered natural science
- Included mathematics, astronomy, medicine and chemistry
6. Arabic Influence on European Learning:
- Ptolemy’s Almagest was written in Greek and later translated into Arabic
- The Arabic article ‘al’ in Almagest shows Arabic influence
7. Muslim Scholars Known in Italy:
- Ibn Sina (Avicenna): Arab physician and philosopher from Bukhara
- al-Razi (Rhazes): Author of a medical encyclopaedia
- Muslim scholars were regarded as men of wisdom
8. Ibn Rushd and Philosophy:
- Ibn Rushd (Averroes) was an Arab philosopher of Spain
- He tried to resolve tension between philosophical knowledge and religious belief
- His method was adopted by Christian thinkers
9. Spread of Humanist Ideas:
- Humanists reached people in different ways
- University curricula remained focused on law, medicine and theology
- Humanist subjects gradually entered schools
- This spread occurred beyond Italy to other European countries
Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE History Class 11 Chapter 5: Changing Cultural Traditions
MCQs on NCERT History Class 11 Chapter 5 – Science and Philosophy: The Arabs’ Contribution Class 11
Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “Science and Philosophy: The Arabs’ Contribution Class 11” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:
Question 1. During the Middle Ages, writings of Greeks and Romans were mainly familiar to:
A. Merchants
B. Kings
C. Monks and clergymen
D. Peasants
Answer: C
Question 2. Greek and Roman writings during the Middle Ages were:
A. Widely circulated
B. Completely forgotten
C. Kept secret and not widely known
D. Translated into local languages
Answer: C
Question 3. In which century did European scholars begin reading translated Greek works more actively?
A. Twelfth century
B. Thirteenth century
C. Fourteenth century
D. Fifteenth century
Answer: C
Question 4. European scholars were indebted for Greek texts mainly to:
A. Italian monks
B. Roman priests
C. Arab translators
D. Byzantine emperors
Answer: C
Question 5. Plato was known in Arabic as:
A. Aristu
B. Aflatun
C. Avicenna
D. Averroes
Answer: B
Question 6. Aristotle was known in Arabic as:
A. Aflatun
B. Aristu
C. Rhazes
D. Ptolemy
Answer: B
Question 7. Some European scholars accessed Greek knowledge through:
A. Latin originals
B. Hebrew texts
C. Arabic translations
D. Persian inscriptions
Answer: C
Question 8. Greeks also translated works originally written by:
A. Romans only
B. Arabs and Persians
C. Chinese scholars
D. African scholars
Answer: B
Question 9. Which of the following subjects were included in the translated works?
A. Only philosophy
B. Only theology
C. Natural science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine and chemistry
D. Politics and law only
Answer: C
Question 10. Ptolemy’s Almagest was originally written in:
A. Latin
B. Arabic
C. Persian
D. Greek
Answer: D
Question 11. The word ‘al’ in Almagest indicates its:
A. Greek origin
B. Roman influence
C. Arabic connection
D. Christian use
Answer: C
Question 12. Ptolemy’s Almagest is mainly a work on:
A. Medicine
B. Mathematics
C. Astronomy
D. Chemistry
Answer: C
Question 13. Ibn Sina is known in Latin as:
A. Averroes
B. Rhazes
C. Avicenna
D. Aflatun
Answer: C
Question 14. Ibn Sina was primarily an:
A. Historian
B. Poet
C. Physician and philosopher
D. Astronomer only
Answer: C
Question 15. Al-Razi is best known as the author of a:
A. Philosophical treatise
B. Medical encyclopaedia
C. Book on astronomy
D. Mathematical text
Answer: B
Question 16. Ibn Rushd is known in Latin as:
A. Avicenna
B. Rhazes
C. Averroes
D. Aristu
Answer: C
Question 17. Ibn Rushd attempted to resolve tension between:
A. Science and politics
B. Faith and monarchy
C. Philosophy and religious beliefs
D. Medicine and theology
Answer: C
Question 18. Ibn Rushd’s method was later adopted by:
A. Muslim rulers
B. Arab traders
C. Christian thinkers
D. Roman emperors
Answer: C
Question 19. University curricula during this period were mainly dominated by:
A. Humanities alone
B. Art and music
C. Law, medicine and theology
D. Science and mathematics
Answer: C
Question 20. Humanist subjects were first introduced mainly in:
A. Churches
B. Monasteries
C. Schools
D. Royal courts
Answer: C
Question 21. Humanist education spread beyond Italy to:
A. Only France
B. Only Germany
C. Other European countries
D. Asia
Answer: C