Ali Sedad Bey's Principles of Transformation in the Motion of Particles

Reviews / Votes

"Ali Sedad's Kavâ?idu't-Ta?avvülât of 1883 is an attempt to produce what many modernist Muslims were asking for in the 19th century, namely to create a new ?ilm al-kalam that would integrate European scientific theories, such as atomism, thermodynamics and Darwinism, into the conceptual frame of pre-modern kalam , just like al-Ghazali and others integrated falsafa into it centuries earlier. Finally, the book is available in a fluent and admirably precise English translation by Nazif Muhtaroglu, topped up by a clear introduction on the author and his work." (Frank Griffel, Professor of the Study of Abrahamic Religions, Oxford University, UK)

"Nazif Muhtaroglu's masterful translation and superb analysis bring fresh perspectives to nineteenth-century Ottoman intellectual history. This work complicates the long-dominant binary view of the period and compels us to rethink its key debates. Through the long-forgotten writings of Ali Sedad, Dr. Muhtaroglu opens new vistas of research into late nineteenth-century Ottoman thought." (Himmet Taskomur, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University, USA)

"Nazif Muhtaroglu's superb translation and commentary of a 19th century Ottoman science manuscript offers the most original theoretical contribution to the highly politicized and polarized debate on Muslim theology and Modern science. Muhtaroglu's analysis of the scientific and philosophical writings of Ali Sedad, a figure overshadowed by the fame of his father Ahmet Cevdet Pasa and his two sisters, Fatma Aliye and Emine Seniye, offers invaluable insights on modern global intellectual history in Ottoman context. Ali Sedad is one of the first scientists that discussed implications of modern European natural philosophy and science, including Darwinism, on Muslim theological doctrines of free will and causality, and refashioned an original synthesis without falling into the duality of emulation versus rejection. This book will be of great interest to historians of sciences as well as to modern Muslim thought and theology." (Cemil Aydin, Professor of History, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA)

"This is an important and timely contribution to the study of late Ottoman reflections on the relationship between science and theology. Nazif's translation offers an excellent starting point for students and scholars seeking to understand how earlier Muslim intellectuals engaged scientific developments within a theological framework. It will be especially helpful not only for those interested in contemporary debates on Islam and science, but also for those who recognise that historical conversations often have much to teach present discussions." (Shoaib Ahmed Malik, Lecturer of Science and Religion, University of Edinburgh, UK)

"In my opinion, Ali Sedad's work is one of the most notable examples representing the 'renewal through old tradition' approach within Ottoman Turkish modernization. On one hand, it reflects the continuities and changes in the cognition of an Ottoman Turkish intellectual. On the other hand, it demonstrates his complete commitment to the principles of scientific reasoning within his metaphysical receptacle, itself grounded in his worldview. A translation and critical assessment of this exemplary work by a highly skilled scholar is not only valuable for researchers but also provides a methodological model for future studies on this subject." (Ihsan Fazlıoglu, Professor and Director of The History of Science Institute, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Türkiye)

"Through his extensive body of work, Nazif Muhtaroglu has played a leading role in introducing classical Islamic theories and concepts into contemporary scholarship. This volume represents a significant continuation of that intellectual trajectory, bringing to light a remarkable Ottoman text at the intersection of science and Islamic theology ( kalam ). Combining meticulous translation with a penetrating analytical introduction, Muhtaroglu reveals the depth of Ali Sedad's synthesis of thermodynamics and Ash?ari thought, highlighting its significance as one of the earliest encounters between a classical theological tradition and modern physics, and offering an original and compelling contribution to the global science-religion discourse." (Mehmet Bulgen, Professor of Theology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye)

"Ali Sedad Bey is an exceptional figure in nineteenth-century Ottoman intellectual life. His work, Kavâ?idu't-Ta?avvülât fî ?arekâti'z-Zerrât (Principles of Transformation in the Motion of Particles), first introduced thermodynamics, atomism, and Darwinian evolution to the Ottoman world. Rather than transmitting Western science alone, Ali Sedad synthesized it within Ash?arite kalam and occasionalism. This work, which I previously edited for Çizgi Kitabevi's "Ottoman Philosophy Studies" series, now reaches English-speaking readers through Nazif Muhtaroglu's meticulous translation and introductory essay - a major contribution to late Ottoman history of science." (Ali Utku, Professor of Philosophy, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Türkiye)