Hayy developed a cosmology to portray how he understood the world through the use of observation, speculation, and comparison, without it he would have never discovered how interconnected the universe was. Hayy understands the world in a way that is similar to Copernicus and the rest of previous scientists. His theory of the world stemmed from developments that took place over 28 years in seven-year increments (Ibn Ṭufayl 1150, pg. 128). Hayy understood the world through the basis of the four elements including water, earth, air, and fire. His understanding of the four elements was that they could destroy the other. As an example, he included fire destroying water and earth, and air transforming into snow or rain (Ibn Ṭufayl 1150, pg. 128). In the beginning he believed that the universe was infinite based on 3 dimensions. After pondering this idea for some time, he decided to dig deeper into it by creating a model of lines. Lines are said to be infinite, therefore he used lines as a guide. By manipulating the model, he came to the conclusion that "the universe was not indeed infinite and to think so would be absurd" (Ibn Ṭufayl 1150, pg. 129). Upon discovering the lack of infinite space, Hayy wanted to discover the shapes the universe created. To do so he studied the sun, moon, and stars in his location of being on the equator. By him being on the equator, it was easier for him to discover that there were two orbits moving in spherical directions. With all of this accumulated knowledge, Hayy figured he had the heavens and universe understood. He compared the universe to an ecosystem; the environment was the earth and its inhabitants, the stars were compared to the five senses, and the decay of the universe was what helpless animals fed off of (Ibn Ṭufayl 1150, pg. 130). With this comparison he declared that the universe was a great unit with many components (Ibn Ṭufayl 1150, pg. 130). His next mode of questioning stemmed from how the universe came to be, he pondered on it for a while and shifted from it creating itself to it being created by a maker (Ibn Ṭufayl 1150, pg. 131). He then pondered on the maker as being one that didn't know what how awe-inspiring and complex the creation could be (Ibn Ṭufayl 1150, pg. 132). Hay's has a very creative way of discovering his understanding of the world compared to others. His understanding of the world stemmed from him wanting to gain more knowledge in a broad pattern. The different methods he uses are based on speculation, observation, and common knowledge. He combined these tactics to discover more which led to his truth of the understanding of the world. To discover his truth, Hayy's had a series of methods he used to reveal more knowledge. Hayy's first scientific method as described in the first paragraph is based on deductive reasoning. His conclusion from deductive reasoning was everything lives and decomposes and if it doesn't completely decompose it will do so a little bit (Ibn Ṭufayl 1150, pg. 130). To gather his conclusion, he observed the four elements including water, air, earth, and fire. He gathered each could destroy
…show more content…
In the beginning of his cosmology, he started with the four elements being connected through their ability to destroy each other. He then moves on to the universe as a finite dimension and everything around it is on spherical orbits. Finally, he finished with the universe as a great big interconnection. The importance of Hayy's cosmology is that everything relies on the other. Without the air, wind and water, there would be no snow or rain. Without the orbits and spherical shapes of the sun, moon, and stars, there would not be equal days, nights, months or seasons. Without the universe decomposing, it would not be able to supply the needs of the next. After speculating on how important the wholeness of the universe was it led to him wanting more knowledge on how it was created. The difference of the holistic view is how his cosmology is seen compared to others. In his, everything is connected and a part of a greater whole versus an individual component. If he didn't see the universe as interconnected, he would not have found his other discoveries of its
In the beginning of his cosmology, he started with the four elements being connected through their ability to destroy each other. He then moves on to the universe as a finite dimension and everything around it is on spherical orbits. Finally, he finished with the universe as a great big interconnection. The importance of Hayy's cosmology is that everything relies on the other. Without the air, wind and water, there would be no snow or rain. Without the orbits and spherical shapes of the sun, moon, and stars, there would not be equal days, nights, months or seasons. Without the universe decomposing, it would not be able to supply the needs of the next. After speculating on how important the wholeness of the universe was it led to him wanting more knowledge on how it was created. The difference of the holistic view is how his cosmology is seen compared to others. In his, everything is connected and a part of a greater whole versus an individual component. If he didn't see the universe as interconnected, he would not have found his other discoveries of its