I am sorry if this question seems too loaded for this sub based on the events in Paris, but those current events brought this to my mind. I cannot remember where, but years ago I read some historian or essayist argue that the reason that Islam cannot tolerate discussion and dissent is because the Islam and Middle East never experienced an Enlightenment or Age of Reason like Christianity did in Western Europe. Is the latter half of that statement true? What was happening in the Middle East while Western Europe was undergoing that radical change?
The conclusions to be drawn from that history are better discussed in a different sub -- any suggestions? Thank you!
The Enlightenment in Europe came after the golden age of Islam. In fact, many of the texts which sparked the Enlightenment came back to Europe through Islamic lands, Greek texts especially. The definitive commentary on Aristotle was written by Ibn Rushd. This was the prime text which revived Aristotle in the Latin West.
I read some historian or essayist argue that the reason that Islam cannot tolerate discussion and dissent is because the Islam and Middle East never experienced an Enlightenment or Age of Reason like Christianity did in Western Europe.
Most likely a polemecist, not a historian.
Thank you for the response. I will definitely read more about the golden age of Islam. Thanks!