The book The Four-Element Theory: An Investigation into the Fundamental Role of the Four Elements in the Natural Sciences of the Islamic Era, authored by Amirhossein Shahgoli, has been published in Persian by Imam Hossein Comprehensive University Press.
This work re-examines the epistemological status and fundamental function of the Four-Element Theory within the history of science and the natural philosophy of the Islamic world. By drawing a comparison between the paradigmatic role of this theory and that of the atomic-molecular theory in modern science, the author demonstrates how the four elements historically provided a comprehensive framework for explaining the natural world and the relationship between humans and their environment.
In this research, the author investigates the scope of the Four-Element Theory’s application across various branches of Islamic sciences. These fields encompass physics, chemistry (alchemy), plant and animal biology (botany and zoology), meteorology, geology, psychology (‘ilm al-nafs), medicine, agriculture, and veterinary medicine (baytari). Furthermore, the book explores the theory’s connection to mathematical and applied arts, such as music and architecture, elucidating the issues within these domains through the lens of this conceptual framework. This book serves as a valuable reference for scholars of the history of science, the natural philosophy of the Islamic era, and civilizational studies.
