Theory outweighed direct observation in medieval European writing about Islam

Evidence

This brings out forcibly the contrast between what was observed and what was inferred; between what was accepted on evidence and what was believed even without an adequate authority. At the beginning of this chapter it was said that both modification and confirmation of theory were found in practice. What is really remarkable is that this did not happen more. — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1281

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1281
• XREF: connects to: The social character of Islamic practice went unrecognized by medieval Christian writers; Physical contact with Muslims forced medieval authors toward greater accuracy; Individual writers’ contexts, not grand narratives, explain medieval portrayals of Islam (+10 more)

Broader Connections

• Medieval Christians understood Islam through preexisting biblical categories rather than direct encounter #corroborates (0.95) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 88
• Individual writers’ contexts, not grand narratives, explain medieval portrayals of Islam #complicates (0.80)
• Medieval writers imagined Muslim worship by transposing Roman pagan imagery #exemplifies (0.80) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 69
• Fantasizing about Islam historically preceded and enabled accurate observation of it #expands (0.80) — R. W. Southern, Western Views of Islam in the Middle…, 190
• Medieval Europeans explained Muslim traits through climate and body rather than theology #complicates (0.75) — Ivan Davidson Kalmar, Derek Penslar, Orientalism and the Jews, 231
• Early medieval European knowledge of Islam was thin and unverifiable #corroborates (0.75)
• The medieval Christian image of Islam was self-referential and internally self-correcting #complicates (0.72)
• Medieval Christian knowledge systems failed to explain or influence Islam #qualifies (0.72) — Edward W. Said, Orientalism, 168