Photos of Reflections

Dotted reflections on the glass panes of the lamp, some trees reflected in the lake, and finally, the Dome reflected (albeit imperfectly) in the lake.

Alhazen

I found Lindberg's comparison of Alhazen and Avicenna very interesting. Although Avicenna often has greater technical power, Lindberg (and apparently most of West) prefer Alhazen's text. According to Lindberg, "it had great persuasive power" (61) and "successfully integrated the anatomical, physical, and mathematical approaches to sight" (67). There is more to a scientific text than mere observation; as Lindberg explains, it must both refute past theories and defend a replacement. In addition, it must present these arguments persuasively. Lindberg makes the interesting point that sometimes the refutations themselves are incorrect, though they correctly guide one to the right theory. In other words, a misunderstanding or ignorance about a concept might help one to reject a false theory.