What is the full name and common Latinized name of the scholar discussed in the article?

The scholar discussed in the article is Hasan Ibn al-Haytham, who is commonly Latinized as Alhazen. His full name is Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham.

During which historical period did Ibn al-Haytham live and make his significant contributions?

Ibn al-Haytham lived during the Islamic Golden Age, specifically from approximately 965 to 1040 CE. This era was a period of significant intellectual and scientific advancement in the Islamic world.

What are the primary fields of study for which Ibn al-Haytham is renowned?

Ibn al-Haytham is renowned for his significant contributions to physics, mathematics, and astronomy. He is particularly celebrated for his groundbreaking work in optics and visual perception.

What is Ibn al-Haytham's most influential work, and what is its significance?

Ibn al-Haytham's most influential work is the seven-volume treatise titled *Kitab al-Manazir*, known in English as the 'Book of Optics,' written between 1011 and 1021. This work revolutionized the understanding of vision and light, laying the foundation for modern optics.

What key theory of vision did Ibn al-Haytham propose, and how did it differ from previous ideas?

Ibn al-Haytham proposed that vision occurs when light reflects from an object and then enters the eye, and that the process of sight is actually perceived in the brain. This contradicted earlier theories, such as the emission theory, which suggested that the eye emitted rays.

What is the significance of Ibn al-Haytham's work on the principle of least time?

Ibn al-Haytham stated the principle of least time for refraction, which is significant because it was later recognized as Fermat's principle. This principle describes how light travels between two points by taking the path that requires the least amount of time.

How did Ibn al-Haytham contribute to the development of the scientific method?

Ibn al-Haytham is considered an early pioneer of the scientific method, advocating for hypotheses to be supported by experiments based on confirmable procedures or mathematical reasoning. He emphasized rigorous testing and questioning of existing theories, a methodology that predated similar approaches in Renaissance Europe by centuries.

What was Ibn al-Haytham's origin, and where did he spend most of his productive life?

Ibn al-Haytham was born in Basra, Iraq, and is believed to have been of Arab or Persian origin. He spent the majority of his influential career in Cairo, the capital of the Fatimid Caliphate.

What administrative role did Ibn al-Haytham hold, and what project did he attempt?

In his native Basra, Ibn al-Haytham held the position of vizier. He famously attempted to regulate the flooding of the Nile River by proposing plans for a dam, though he later deemed the project impractical.

What is the legend surrounding Ibn al-Haytham's time in Cairo under Caliph Al-Hakim?

Legend states that after being given an administrative post in Cairo, Ibn al-Haytham fell out of favor with Caliph Al-Hakim. He is said to have feigned madness and lived under house arrest until the Caliph's death in 1021, during which time he wrote his seminal *Book of Optics*.

How was Ibn al-Haytham's *Book of Optics* disseminated in Europe?

The *Book of Optics* was translated into Latin by an unknown scholar around the end of the 12th or beginning of the 13th century. This Latin translation, known as *De aspectibus*, was later printed in 1572 and significantly influenced European scientific thought.

What were the two main theories of vision prevalent in classical antiquity that Ibn al-Haytham addressed?

The two main theories were the emission theory, supported by Euclid and Ptolemy, which posited that the eye emits rays of light, and the intromission theory, supported by Aristotle, which suggested that physical forms enter the eye from an object.

How did Ibn al-Haytham's theory of vision synthesize previous ideas?

Alhazen's theory synthesized elements from earlier thought: the mathematical ray arguments of Euclid, the anatomical descriptions of Galen, and the intromission theories of Aristotle. He proposed that light and color emanate from objects and enter the eye, with perception occurring in the brain.

What was Ibn al-Haytham's contribution to the study of reflection?

Ibn al-Haytham was the first physicist to provide a complete statement of the law of reflection. He correctly described that the incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal to the surface all lie within the same plane perpendicular to the reflecting surface.

What is 'Alhazen's problem,' and what mathematical challenge did it present?

Alhazen's problem, originally formulated by Ptolemy, involves finding a point on the circumference of a circle where lines drawn from two given points in the plane make equal angles with the normal. In optics, it relates to finding the point on a spherical mirror where light reflects to an observer's eye, leading to a fourth-degree equation.

How did Ibn al-Haytham's work on sums of powers contribute to mathematics?

In solving Alhazen's problem, he derived a formula for the sum of fourth powers, a method that could be generalized for any integral power. This was crucial for performing what is now known as integration, allowing him to calculate the volume of a paraboloid.

What was Ibn al-Haytham's contribution regarding the camera obscura?

While the camera obscura was known before him, Ibn al-Haytham provided the first clear description and early analysis of the device. He used it primarily to observe solar eclipses and conducted experiments to understand how it formed images, explaining phenomena like image inversion.

What concept related to perception did Ibn al-Haytham articulate in his work?

Ibn al-Haytham articulated the concept of unconscious inference in his discussion of color perception. He suggested that the process of distinguishing color happens so rapidly it appears instantaneous, implying that sensory information is processed in the brain.

How did Ibn al-Haytham explain color constancy?

He explained color constancy by observing that the light reflected from an object is modified by the object's color. Ibn al-Haytham proposed that the visual system separates the perceived light from the object's inherent color, even though they are mingled when reaching the eye.

What mechanical analogies did Ibn al-Haytham use to explain optical phenomena?

He used mechanical analogies, such as comparing the force of perpendicular impacts to that of oblique ones, to explain principles like refraction and why perpendicular rays might be perceived more strongly by the eye. He also associated 'strong' lights with perpendicular rays and 'weak' lights with oblique ones.

What significant astronomical critique did Ibn al-Haytham make of Ptolemy's work?

In his *Doubts Concerning Ptolemy*, Ibn al-Haytham criticized Ptolemy's astronomical models, particularly the *Almagest* and *Planetary Hypotheses*. He pointed out contradictions within Ptolemy's work and questioned the physical plausibility of his mathematical devices, such as the equant.

What was Ibn al-Haytham's view on the Earth's position in the universe?

In his work *On the Configuration of the World*, Ibn al-Haytham described the Earth as a stationary sphere at the center of the world. This geocentric view, presented as a physical reality rather than just a mathematical model, influenced later astronomical thought.

How did Ibn al-Haytham approach geometry, and what concept did he introduce?

In geometry, Ibn al-Haytham explored the Euclidean parallel postulate using a proof by contradiction. He is credited with effectively introducing the concept of motion into geometry, a method that was later criticized by Omar Khayyam.

What mathematical problem did Ibn al-Haytham attempt to solve using lunes, and what was the result?

Ibn al-Haytham attempted to solve the problem of squaring the circle using the areas of lunes (crescent shapes). While he ultimately abandoned the impossible task, the lunes derived from a right triangle using semicircles on its sides are known as the lunes of Alhazen, having the same total area as the triangle itself.

What was Ibn al-Haytham's contribution to number theory regarding perfect numbers?

In number theory, Ibn al-Haytham worked on perfect numbers. He may have been the first to state that every even perfect number is of the form 2^(n-1)(2^n - 1), where 2^n - 1 is a prime number (now known as a Mersenne prime), a result later proven by Euler.

How did Ibn al-Haytham's work influence later European scientists?

The Latin translation of Ibn al-Haytham's *Book of Optics* greatly influenced prominent European scholars such as Roger Bacon, Johannes Kepler, Christiaan Huygens, and Isaac Newton. His emphasis on experimentation and his theories on optics and vision were foundational for subsequent scientific developments.

What titles or descriptions have been used to characterize Ibn al-Haytham's scientific importance?

Ibn al-Haytham has been called the 'father of modern optics' and sometimes described as the world's 'first true scientist.' His work revived the experimental spirit of ancient physicists, bridging a long gap in scientific inquiry.

In what ways did Ibn al-Haytham contribute to the understanding of binocular vision?

Ibn al-Haytham described concepts related to binocular vision, including correspondence and diplopia, centuries before Western scientists. He also provided a description of vertical horopters that was closer to the modern definition than later accounts, and his work on binocular disparity was revisited by Panum.

What is the significance of Ibn al-Haytham's approach to scientific inquiry?

Ibn al-Haytham's approach was significant for its systematic reliance on experimentation (*i'tibar*) and controlled testing. He combined classical physics with mathematics, grounding his theories in empirical evidence and mathematical reasoning, which was a hallmark of the emerging scientific method.

How did Ibn al-Haytham view the relationship between science and theology?

Ibn al-Haytham, a follower of the Ash'ari school of theology, believed that seeking knowledge and truth was a path to gaining access to God's effulgence and closeness. His theological views supported his scientific skepticism, encouraging the questioning of authorities and the pursuit of truth through evidence.

What honors or recognitions has Ibn al-Haytham received posthumously?

Ibn al-Haytham is honored by the Alhazen crater on the Moon, the asteroid 59239 Alhazen, and an endowed chair at Aga Khan University. UNESCO declared 2015 the International Year of Light to celebrate his achievements, and he has been featured in television documentaries like *Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey* and *The Ascent of Man*.

What was Ibn al-Haytham's perspective on the nature of 'place'?

In his *Treatise on Place*, Ibn al-Haytham disagreed with Aristotle's view that nature abhors a vacuum. He used geometry to argue that place is the three-dimensional void between the inner surfaces of a containing body.

How did Ibn al-Haytham's work on the Milky Way contribute to astronomical understanding?

Ibn al-Haytham made the first systematic effort to evaluate the parallax of the Milky Way, combining data from Ptolemy and his own observations. He concluded that the parallax was likely very small, suggesting the Milky Way was a celestial object, not part of the atmosphere.

What mathematical development is attributed to Ibn al-Haytham concerning the link between algebra and geometry?

Ibn al-Haytham made significant developments in conic sections and number theory, contributing to the beginnings of the link between algebra and geometry. This work influenced later mathematicians like Descartes and Newton in their development of analytical geometry and calculus.

What was the nature of Ibn al-Haytham's critique of Ptolemy's *Almagest*?

In *Doubts Concerning Ptolemy*, Ibn al-Haytham pointed out contradictions in Ptolemy's astronomical theories and configurations. He specifically criticized the use of the equant and the reliance on imaginary mathematical constructs for describing actual physical celestial motions.

How did Ibn al-Haytham's model of planetary motion differ from Ptolemy's?

Ibn al-Haytham's *Model of the Motions of Each of the Seven Planets* used spherical geometry, infinitesimal geometry, and trigonometry. While maintaining a geocentric universe and using epicycles, he successfully eliminated Ptolemy's controversial equant from his model.

What is the significance of the 'lunes of Alhazen' in geometry?

The lunes of Alhazen are geometric figures formed from a right triangle by constructing semicircles on its sides. These lunes have the remarkable property that their combined area is exactly equal to the area of the original right triangle, a discovery related to his attempts to square the circle.

What mathematical theorem is associated with Ibn al-Haytham's work on congruences?

Ibn al-Haytham solved problems involving congruences using methods that included what is now known as Wilson's theorem. He also employed a version of the Chinese Remainder Theorem in his mathematical analyses.

How did Ibn al-Haytham's work on the Moon illusion influence later scientific thought?

Ibn al-Haytham offered an explanation for the Moon illusion, proposing that the perceived size of the Moon varies with its perceived distance. He argued against Ptolemy's refraction theory and suggested that the lack of intervening objects when the Moon is high makes it seem closer and smaller, while its appearance larger on the horizon is due to perceived distance. This psychological explanation, disseminated through works by later scholars, eventually replaced the refraction theory.

What was the primary focus of Ibn al-Haytham's research in catoptrics?

In catoptrics, the study of optical systems using mirrors, Ibn al-Haytham focused on spherical and parabolic mirrors. He investigated phenomena such as spherical aberration and the magnifying power of lenses.

What is the significance of Ibn al-Haytham's approach to scientific inquiry as described in his own words?

Ibn al-Haytham emphasized critical thinking and skepticism towards established authorities, stating, 'the seeker after the truth is not one who studies the writings of the ancients and, following his natural disposition, puts his trust in them, but rather the one who suspects his faith in them and questions what he gathers from them.' He advocated for reliance on argument, demonstration, and rigorous self-examination.

How did Ibn al-Haytham's work on the *Book of Optics* impact the scientific revolution?

The *Book of Optics* was highly influential during the scientific revolution, with its concepts frequently cited by major figures like Isaac Newton, Johannes Kepler, Christiaan Huygens, and Galileo Galilei. His foundational work in optics and his emphasis on experimental methods paved the way for significant advancements in physics.

What was Ibn al-Haytham's view on the relationship between scientific authority and truth?

Ibn al-Haytham believed that scientific authorities, even respected figures like Ptolemy, were not immune to error. He stressed that the pursuit of truth requires questioning and critically examining all information, rather than blindly accepting the pronouncements of past scholars.

What specific optical phenomena did Ibn al-Haytham investigate beyond basic vision?

Beyond vision, Ibn al-Haytham investigated phenomena such as the rainbow, eclipses, twilight, and moonlight. His research also included experiments with lenses, mirrors, refraction, and reflection, forming the basis for his theories in catoptrics and dioptrics.

What was the nature of Ibn al-Haytham's contribution to celestial physics?

In celestial physics, Ibn al-Haytham argued in his *Epitome of Astronomy* that Ptolemaic models should be understood as physical objects rather than abstract hypotheses. This emphasis on grounding astronomical models in physical laws made them subject to critique and improvement based on the principles of physics.

How did Ibn al-Haytham's mathematical work connect algebra and geometry?

Ibn al-Haytham's mathematical work built upon the foundations laid by Euclid and Thabit ibn Qurra. He made significant contributions to conic sections and number theory, effectively establishing early links between algebra and geometry, which later influenced the development of analytical geometry.

What is the significance of Ibn al-Haytham's exploration of the Euclidean parallel postulate?

Ibn al-Haytham explored the Euclidean parallel postulate using a proof by contradiction and, in doing so, effectively introduced the concept of motion into geometry. This approach was innovative and laid groundwork for later non-Euclidean geometries, although it drew criticism from contemporaries like Omar Khayyam.

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Biographical Context

Alhazen Ḥasan Ibn al-Haytham
أبو علي، الحسن بن الحسن بن الهيثم
Born	c. 965(0965) (c. 354 AH) Basra, Buyid Emirate
Died	c. 1040(1041) (c. 430 AH) (aged around 75) Cairo, Fatimid Caliphate
Known For	Book of Optics, Doubts Concerning Ptolemy, Alhazen's problem, analysis, Catoptrics, horopter, Spherical aberration, intromission theory of visual perception, moon illusion, experimental science, scientific methodology, animal psychology
Scientific Career
Fields	Physics, mathematics, astronomy

Origins and Early Career

Born in Basra, Iraq, around 965 CE, Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham hailed from a family of Arab or Persian descent. Initially pursuing religious studies, he later shifted his focus to mathematics and science, seeking objective understanding beyond conflicting societal views. He held a significant administrative position as a vizier in Basra, where his applied mathematical skills were recognized, notably in his attempt to regulate the Nile River's inundation.

Scholarly Pursuits in Cairo

Upon relocating to Cairo, Ibn al-Haytham was granted an administrative role. Following an incident that incurred the displeasure of Caliph Al-Hakim, he reportedly spent a period in seclusion until the Caliph's death in 1021. During this time, he produced his seminal work, the Book of Optics. He continued his scholarly activities in Cairo, supporting himself through his extensive writings until his death around 1040 CE.

The Science of Optics

The Book of Optics

Ibn al-Haytham's most influential work, the seven-volume Kitab al-Manazir (Book of Optics), composed between 1011 and 1021 CE, revolutionized the understanding of light and vision. This treatise, later translated into Latin as De Aspectibus, profoundly impacted Western scientific thought, influencing figures like Newton and Kepler.

Within this magnum opus, Ibn al-Haytham established several critical principles:

He was the first to accurately articulate the theory of vision, proposing that light reflects from an object and then enters the eye, rather than emanating from the eye itself.
He posited that vision occurs within the brain, supported by observations of its subjective nature and susceptibility to personal experience.
He meticulously studied the anatomy and physiology of the eye, building upon Galen's accounts.
His work synthesized mathematical ray tracing, Galenic medical tradition, and intromission theories, creating a comprehensive framework for understanding visual perception.

Theory of Vision

Challenging prevailing emission theories (e.g., Euclid, Ptolemy), Ibn al-Haytham championed an intromission theory. He proposed that light and color emanate from every point of an illuminated object and travel in straight lines to the eye. He further theorized that the eye's lens captures these rays, and the brain processes them to form an image. This perspective marked a significant departure, emphasizing the object as the source of light and the eye as the receiver.

Experimental Methodology

A hallmark of Ibn al-Haytham's approach was his rigorous adherence to empirical evidence and experimentation. He systematically investigated phenomena such as reflection, refraction, and image formation, often employing controlled tests and mathematical analysis. This commitment to experimental verification is considered a foundational element of the modern scientific method, predating its formalization in the European Renaissance.

Foundational Theories

Intromission vs. Emission

Ibn al-Haytham's intromission theory posited that visual perception occurs when light rays, carrying form and color, travel from an object to the eye. This contrasted with the classical emission theory, which suggested the eye emits rays. He argued that the eye's structure, particularly the lens, received these rays, and the brain processed them, accounting for the subjective nature of vision.

He addressed the complexity of image formation by proposing that the eye perceives rays that strike its surface perpendicularly, effectively resolving the issue of multiple rays from each object point reaching the eye. While later refined by Kepler to include the retina's role, Ibn al-Haytham's conceptual framework laid the groundwork for understanding visual processing.

The Scientific Method

Ibn al-Haytham is widely recognized as a pioneer of the scientific method. He emphasized the critical examination of existing theories, the necessity of empirical testing (i'tibar), and the integration of mathematics with physical observation. His approach involved questioning authorities, rigorously testing hypotheses, and relying on demonstrable proof, a methodology that profoundly influenced the trajectory of scientific inquiry.

Binocular Vision

His detailed studies extended to binocular vision. Ibn al-Haytham described concepts related to the correspondence of points between the two eyes and the visual field, and explored phenomena like diplopia (double vision). His work on binocular disparity and the horopter anticipated later discoveries by Western scientists centuries later, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of stereoscopic vision.

Laws of Optics

Law of Reflection

Ibn al-Haytham provided a complete and precise formulation of the law of reflection. He established that the incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal to the reflecting surface all lie within the same plane perpendicular to that surface. This fundamental principle, derived through experimental observation, became a cornerstone of geometrical optics.

Refraction and Light

His investigations into refraction were equally groundbreaking. Ibn al-Haytham studied how light bends as it passes between different media (air, water, glass). He observed that the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction is not constant, a crucial insight that laid the groundwork for later developments in understanding refractive phenomena. He also explored the properties of luminance and the nature of light itself.

Alhazen's Problem

Geometric Challenge

Formulated by Ptolemy and solved by Ibn al-Haytham, this problem in catoptrics involves finding a point on a circular or elliptical surface from which light rays, reflecting according to the law of reflection, converge at two given points. This geometric puzzle leads to a quartic equation and required advanced mathematical techniques for its solution.

The solution to Alhazen's problem necessitated the development of methods for summing powers of integers. Ibn al-Haytham derived a formula for the sum of fourth powers, which enabled him to calculate the volume of a paraboloid. This work demonstrated an early application of integral calculus principles, centuries before its formal development in Europe.

Influence on Mathematics

Ibn al-Haytham's work on this problem and related areas significantly advanced geometry and number theory. His exploration of the parallel postulate, his work on lunes (now known as the lunes of Alhazen), and his methods for solving congruences using what is now called Wilson's theorem and the Chinese remainder theorem highlight his profound impact on mathematical thought.

Camera Obscura

Early Analysis

Ibn al-Haytham provided one of the earliest clear descriptions and analyses of the camera obscura. He utilized this device, which projects an inverted image of an external scene through a small aperture onto a surface, primarily for observing solar eclipses. His detailed experimental approach explained phenomena like image inversion and the relationship between aperture size and image clarity.

Eclipse Observations

In his treatise "On the Shape of the Eclipse," Ibn al-Haytham used the camera obscura to study solar eclipses. He documented how the sun's image appeared in a sickle shape during partial eclipses, demonstrating a systematic, physico-mathematical approach to astronomical observation. This work also served to elucidate the working principles of the camera obscura itself.

Diverse Scholarly Output

Physics and Astronomy

Beyond optics, Ibn al-Haytham made significant contributions to physics and astronomy. He discussed celestial physics, critiquing Ptolemy's astronomical models in his Doubts Concerning Ptolemy and proposing that celestial bodies should be understood through physical, rather than purely abstract, models. He also wrote on mechanics, the nature of motion, and the physics of light from the moon and stars.

Mathematics

His mathematical work spanned geometry, number theory, and early calculus. He explored the parallel postulate, developed geometric proofs for summation formulas, and solved problems involving congruences. His work on summing powers of integers was particularly crucial for his geometric calculations, such as determining the volume of a paraboloid.

Philosophy and Theology

Ibn al-Haytham also engaged with philosophical and theological questions. He challenged Aristotle's concept of vacuum in his Treatise on Place and discussed space perception and its epistemological implications. As a Muslim scholar, he also wrote on Islamic theology, including criteria for prophethood and mathematical methods for determining the Qibla, reflecting a synthesis of faith and reason.

Enduring Legacy

Impact on Modern Science

Ibn al-Haytham's emphasis on empirical evidence and systematic experimentation laid crucial groundwork for the scientific revolution. His theories in optics, particularly his explanation of vision and his mathematical approaches, were foundational for later giants like Isaac Newton, Johannes Kepler, and Galileo Galilei. He is often hailed as the "father of modern optics" and a precursor to experimental psychology.

Global Recognition

His contributions are recognized globally. UNESCO declared 2015 the International Year of Light in his honor, celebrating his pioneering work. Features in documentaries like Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey and The Ascent of Man have brought his achievements to wider audiences. Astronomical features and currency also bear his name, testament to his lasting influence.

Illuminating the Path

Ibn al-Haytham's intellectual legacy lies not only in his specific discoveries but also in his methodological rigor. By prioritizing observation and mathematical proof, he established a paradigm for scientific inquiry that continues to resonate. His ability to synthesize diverse fields—physics, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy—exemplifies the polymathic ideal and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.

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References

Rooney 2012, p. 39: "As a rigorous experimental physicist, he is sometimes credited with inventing the scientific method."

Baker 2012, p. 449: "As shown earlier, Ibn al-Haytham was among the first scholars to experiment with animal psychology.

Also Alhacen, Avennathan, Avenetan, etc.; the identity of "Alhazen" with Ibn al-Haytham al-Basri "was identified towards the end of the 19th century". (Vernet 1996, p. 788)

Roshdi Rashed, Ibn al-Haytham's Geometrical Methods and the Philosophy of Mathematics: A History of Arabic Sciences and Mathematics, Volume 5, Routledge (2017), p. 635

According to Al-Qifti. O'Connor & Robertson 1999.

Lindberg 1967, p. 331:"Peckham continually bows to the authority of Alhazen, whom he cites as "the Author" or "the Physicist"."

"Alhazen Arab mathematician and physicist who was born around 965 in what is now Iraq." Critical Companion to Chaucer: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work

For Ibn al-Haytham's life and works, Smith 2001, p. cxix recommends Sabra 1989, pp. vol. 2, xixâlxxiii

Wade 1998, pp. 240, 316, 334, 367; Howard & Wade 1996, pp. 1195, 1197, 1200.

O'Connor & Robertson 1999, Weisstein 2008.

Kelley, Milone & Aveni 2005, p. 83: "The first clear description of the device appears in the Book of Optics of Alhazen."

Wade & Finger 2001: "The principles of the camera obscura first began to be correctly analysed in the eleventh century, when they were outlined by Ibn al-Haytham."

Langermann 1990, pp. 34â41; Gondhalekar 2001, p. 21.

Katz 1998, p. 269: "In effect, this method characterised parallel lines as lines always equidistant from one another and also introduced the concept of motion into geometry."

Ishaq, Usep Mohamad, and Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud. "Tinjauan biografi-bibliografi Ibn al-haytham." Historia : Jurnal Program Studi Pendidikan Sejarah 5.2 (2017): 107â124.

Anwar, Sabieh (October 2008), "Is GhazÄlÄ« really the Halagu of Science in Islam?", Monthly Renaissance, 18 (10), retrieved 14 October 2008

Magill & Aves 1998, p. 66: "Roger Bacon, John Peckham, and Giambattista della Porta are only some of the many thinkers who were influenced by Alhazen's work."

Chong, Lim & Ang 2002 Appendix 3, p. 129.

Rashed 2007, pp. 8â9; Topdemir 2007

From Ibn Abi Usaibia's catalog, as cited in Smith 2001 91(vol. 1), p. xv.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Ibn al-Haytham Wikipedia page

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Alhazen: Architect of Light and Vision

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Biographical Context 👤

🌍 Origins and Early Career

🏛️ Scholarly Pursuits in Cairo

The Science of Optics 🔬

📖 The Book of Optics

💡 Theory of Vision

📐 Experimental Methodology

Foundational Theories 🧠

👁️ Intromission vs. Emission

🧪 The Scientific Method

↔️ Binocular Vision

Laws of Optics ⚖️

✨ Law of Reflection

🌊 Refraction and Light

Alhazen's Problem ❓

🔢 Geometric Challenge

🔗 Influence on Mathematics

Camera Obscura 📷

🔭 Early Analysis

☀️ Eclipse Observations

Diverse Scholarly Output 📚

🔭 Physics and Astronomy

📐 Mathematics

🤔 Philosophy and Theology

Enduring Legacy 🌟

🚀 Impact on Modern Science

🌍 Global Recognition

💡 Illuminating the Path

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Biographical Context

Origins and Early Career

Scholarly Pursuits in Cairo

The Science of Optics

The Book of Optics

Theory of Vision

Experimental Methodology

Foundational Theories

Intromission vs. Emission

The Scientific Method

Binocular Vision

Laws of Optics

Law of Reflection

Refraction and Light

Alhazen's Problem

Geometric Challenge

Influence on Mathematics

Camera Obscura

Early Analysis

Eclipse Observations

Diverse Scholarly Output

Physics and Astronomy

Mathematics

Philosophy and Theology

Enduring Legacy

Impact on Modern Science

Global Recognition

Illuminating the Path

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice