al-Ghazzali and The Allegory of the Cave

1. This selection of mathematics is showcasing the relationship between religion and advancements through means that are naturally more on the irreligious side.  Mathematicians focus on results that have "clearness and solidity of truth" while religion relies on faith.  Because of this. mathematicians stray away from religion/Islamic values.  The Islamic faith does not condemn nor approve of this behavior, but it does allow mathematics to continue.  The Islamic faith embraces the subjects that will aid in the advancement of society and their people; the faith is not one where people are guided on a straight path to God, but a faith that is intended to support the growth of knowledge and guide people to God.

2. al-Ghazzali supports the idea that mathematics and religion should be separated.  Mathematics "proves nothing for or against religion."  Islamic faith does not condemn nor approve of mathematics either.  Because these two do not relate, it would be odd to combine them.  Religion is based on beliefs that do not have any clear evidence.  Mathematics has "clearness and solidity of proof".  Combining religion and mathematics would most likely lead to questioning of faith as they would be in direct contact.  By maintaining these as two separate entities, Mathematics and religion can coexist.

How do al-Ghazzali's works relate to The Allegory of the Cave?
al-Ghazzali's work Deliverance from Error, and Plato's The Allegory of the Cave both deal with the idea that truth is something that deceives us.  We think that they can see the reality of everything through their five senses as both works claim.  But there lies an issue with the use of senses; they often deceive us.  Plato says that the prisoner's of the den have become accustomed to the idea that the shadows are the ones that are speaking.  This is not true; the shadows are what appears of the actual being: the human.  And the sounds that these shadows make are nothing more than echoes that are emanating from the human.  al-Ghazzali says that we use our strongest sense, sight, to determine what is and isn't real.  But here lies the problem.  The stars adorning the sky are smaller than the size of the tip of our fingers, but in reality, their size dwarfs the size of the earth.  In addition, both of these writers emphasize the importance of helping others once you have found the truth.  The Apostle of God came to the people and answered their questions about how to achieve this enlightenment about reality, according to Deliverance from Error.  Socrates tells Glaucon about how once you have reached enlightenment, it is your role to return to the den in which the imprisoned men reside and make sure to help them see the light of reality.  It will be a struggle because they will deny what they are not accustomed to, but it is something that must be done according to Socrates.
The difference between these two works is that al-Ghazzali believes that the enlightenment is brought down from not only the human, but from God.  al-Ghazzali said that 'God Most High cured me of that sickness" which was his skepticism of religion.  Plato's work speaks of the importance of humans.  It is the humans that are in the light, and it is the human who plays the role that God plays in al-Ghazzali's work (this role is bringing enlightenment to those who are struggling to see reality).

Maps of Byzantine's Contraction and Islam's Expansion

Page 350: The Quran and Other Faiths

Compare the Quran’s teachings on the relationship between Allah and human beings with the views of Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians discussed in earlier chapters.

The Quran sets some guidelines that establish it from other religions; there is a clear subservience to God.  Both Islam and Zoroastrianism share the idea that one has to please their God, but they different in the degree of their devotion.  Zoroastrianism is a more relaxed and moderate and allows indulgence in pleasures in moderation.  Islam is a lot more strict and intense; they have to fast during the daylight hours of Ramadan is one example.  Then there’s the whole “mean and women who guard their private parts.”  Islam is similar to Judaism in that both are monotheistic and have an all-powerful God.  The five pillars of Islam is similar to the Ten Commandments Present in Judaism and Christianity.  The Quran encourages people to be charitable to those less fortunate just like what Christianity encouraged.

Justinian's Code Document

1)    Women’s roles in Byzantine society involved them being subservient to the men.  Their purpose was to be a wife or concubine and a mother to their children.  The reason for these assumptions is that, despite this document being based upon the family life between males and females, the females are placed under a lot more restrictions and generally hold less power than the male.  For example, a son needs permission from his grandfather and father for marriage, whereas a daughter needs only the permission of her grandfather; the daughter is not as important because only one person is needed to determine her marriage.  Regarding concubines, the woman must remain with her patron so long as he desires it; the woman cannot act based on her desires, rather, she has to please the male.

I think it is important to note that these ideas do not seem to be based on religious texts nor previous events in the history of the empire.  Instead, these ideas are based on the opinions of Justinian and his lawyers.  Under the concubine section, the lawyers or Justinian use “I think” and “I agree” instead of something along the lines of “based upon….”

2)     As we discussed in class, Justinian’s background is important because it gives insight as to how Justinian feels towards certain groups of society.  Although we are not certain how Justinian felt towards the rich and the poor, we know that he was raised as a peasant and probably feels either resentment for the rich or disinterest in the poor.  Justinian also came to power through the military, so some of these laws are probably built with the military on the mind. 

Background of the empire is also important because the chaos in the states of Rome and Byzantine can at least partially be attributed to the contradictory laws.  To avoid loopholes, the lawyers would have had to research previous events and create laws based upon these events.