UNIVERSAL GENIUS OF THE CENTRAL ASIAN RENAISSANCE (TO THE 1050TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABU RAYKHAN AL-BERUNI)

Abstract

The article reveals the significance of the activities of the great scientist of the Central Asian Renaissance, Abu Rayhan Beruni (973–1048), whose anniversary is being widely celebrated
in 2023 around the world. The phenomenon of the Renaissance itself proved to be unique, being characterized by a humanistic orientation and an unprecedented prosperity of science, philosophy, medicine, and education. Al-Beruni belonged to a galaxy of outstanding thinkers of that time, such as al-Farghani, al-Khorezmi, al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, etc., and was an encyclopedist whose interests extended to literally all spheres of knowledge. Al-Beruni’s advanced methodology of scientific knowledge and his development of the empirical inductive method of knowledge enriched philosophy. He was familiar with the works of the great representatives of Greek philosophy and science: pre-Socratic natural philosophers, Plato, Aristotle, Ptolemy, Euclid, Neoplatonists and Neo-Pythagoreans, with the works of Indian, Byzantine and Muslim scientists, as evidenced by comments, explanations, judgments and polemics with fellow scientists in his works. As a natural philosopher, he had a deistic view of the universe. Al-Beruni was one of the thinkers who stood at the origins of comparative religious studies. Analyzing religious teachings, he undoubtedly gave preference to Islam and noted its superiority, however, we can admit his deep knowledge of other religions, the desire to understand them rather than prove them wrong, and to express admiration for other cultures. His thought was characterized by scientific objectivity and accuracy of observations. Al-Beruni’s writings also reflected ideas about morality. He drew attention to the need to develop such qualities as honor, dignity, friendship, partnership, conscience, and justice.