Natural sciences investigate the fundamental principles governing the behavior of the universe. The history of natural sciences is the history of the theories developed to understand the nature of all kinds of material beings we experience. The Department of History of Natural Sciences focuses on the study of the history, nature, methodologies and models of the development of various disciplines in the natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, occult sciences. The intellectual and social history of these disciplines is investigated by shedding light on the evolution of scientific thought and discoveries over time.
The sub-disciplines of the Department of History of Natural Sciences include astronomy, physics, chemistry, earth science and occult sciences. Astronomy focuses on celestial bodies and phenomena, physics deals with matter, energy and fundamental forces, chemistry investigates the composition and properties of matter, and earth science analyzes earth processes. In the occult sciences, the study of the occult is a demonstration of the limitlessness of human endeavor and man's curiosity to discover the secrets inherent in the Universe. These sub-disciplines provide a comprehensive understanding of the natural world and its history.
In the Department of History of Natural Sciences, it should be aimed to fill the gap in the literature by telling a narrative of the history of natural sciences that extends from ancient times to today with the influences of different civilizations. Thus, a history of natural sciences should begin with the discussions on the philosophy of nature that emerged in ancient Greece, China and India. It should continue by talking about the first Islamic philosophers who produced works as a result of the transfer of the ancient Greek accumulation from Greek to Arabic through a comprehensive translation movement, which was systematized especially from the ninth century onwards, and the unique atomistic theories produced by the theologians in this process. While the eleventh century of natural philosophy in the Islamic world was a period in which pinnacle names produced works that would continue to influence the East and West for centuries, the twelfth century of natural philosophy in the Islamic world was a period in which the purpose of philosophy was questioned and its internal inconsistencies were written down. With the Illuminationist philosophical movement founded in the twelfth century, the problems of optics became widespread with this school, while in the thirteenth century there were scholars who dominated Islamic physical thought and whose influence continued throughout the Ottoman period. In the fourteenth century, not only modern optics was revived, but also the Kalam text, which Ottoman scholars would refer to the most, was written and turned into an influential source in natural philosophy. In the fourteenth century, the Ottoman scholarly mentality was formed on the foundations laid by the Seljuks, and the Ottoman conception of natural philosophy began to take shape. The subject of natural philosophy in Ottoman madrasas, on the other hand, is largely based on manuscript literature, and it is a subject that has not yet been studied much in terms of content. Therefore, research in the department of the history of natural sciences will shed light on many points that have remained dark in the history of science.
The Department of History of Natural Sciences uses a variety of primary and secondary sources such as research studies, scientific journals, theses, historical documents, Library and Archive resources, academic publications, databases. These sources help researchers gain a comprehensive understanding of the history and development of natural sciences.
The intellectual value of the aims, questions and research of the Department of History of Natural Sciences lies in the way it examines how scientific knowledge and understanding have developed over time, providing insights into the evolution of human knowledge and the impact of scientific advances on society. Its interdisciplinary approach allows for a deeper understanding of the development and impact of scientific ideas over time, contributing valuable insights to the wider field of intellectual history.
The Department of Natural Sciences encourages applications on the following topics:
- Classical mechanics, optics, heat, electromagnetism and historical development of modern physics
- Historical traces of physical principles in different civilizations (Greek, Islamic, European, Indian, Chinese)
- The historical transformation of scientific apparatus, experiments and theories
- Philosophical foundations and methodological evolution of physical thought
- History of Occult Sciences
- Historical limits, rejection or transformation of occult sciences
- History of astronomical, optical, physical measurement and chemical analysis instruments
- The birth of observatories, laboratories, scientific institutes and museums
- The epistemological role of scientific instruments in scientific knowledge production