THE STUDY OF THE RESEARCH OF EASTERN THINKERS IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES IN 20TH-CENTURY TURKISH HISTORIOGRAPHY

This article examines the study of Eastern thinkers in the natural sciences within 20th-century Turkish historiography. It analyzes how Turkish scholars interpreted the contributions of medieval Islamic scientists such as Ibn Sina, Al-Biruni, and Al-Khwarizmi in different intellectual and ideological contexts. The research traces the evolution from early Republican modernization-oriented narratives to more critical and globally integrated approaches in later decades. Special attention is given to the influence of key historians, institutional developments, and international historiographical trends, including the works of George Sarton and Thomas Kuhn. The study highlights both the achievements and limitations of Turkish historiography, including tendencies toward Eurocentrism and cultural idealization. Overall, it demonstrates a gradual shift toward a more balanced and interdisciplinary understanding of Eastern contributions to the natural sciences.