An investigation of medieval European science would reveal the following:
That Muslim scholars made crucial contributions to the rebirth of philosophy and science in Europe.
During the medieval period, particularly from the 8th to the 15th centuries, Muslim scholars preserved, studied, and expanded upon the knowledge of the ancient Greeks and Romans. They made significant advancements in various fields such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy. This knowledge was later transmitted to Europe, particularly during the Renaissance, thereby contributing to the revival of learning and scientific inquiry.
The other statements do not accurately reflect the historical understanding of the contributions to science during the medieval period:
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That little scientific progress had been made since the days of the Roman Empire: While the period was characterized by different focuses compared to ancient times, there was still substantial intellectual activity and developments in various fields in medieval Europe and the Islamic world.
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That European scholars were far more advanced than their Middle Eastern counterparts: This is not accurate; during much of the medieval period, particularly the early part, the Islamic world was ahead in many scientific and philosophical areas.
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That both Christian and Muslim scholars saw that the study of nature as “unholy” and therefore forbidden: This is misleading; while there were periods of tension regarding the study of nature, many scholars from both traditions viewed the study of the natural world as a way to understand God's creation and did engage in scientific inquiry.
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