Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna): A Very Short Introduction by Peter Adamson

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

 

This book provides an introduction to the most important philosopher of the Islamic world, Ibn SÄ«nÄ, often known in English by his Latinized name Avicenna. After introducing the man and his works, with an overview of the historical context in which he lived, the book devotes chapters to the different areas of Ibn SÄ«nÄ 's thought. Among the topics covered are his innovations in logic, his theory of the human soul and its powers, the relation between his medical writings and his philosophy, and his metaphysics of existence. Particular attention is given to two famous arguments: his flying man thought experiment and the so-called "demonstration of the truthful," a proof for the existence of God as the Necessary Existent. A distinctive feature of the book is its attention to the relationship between Ibn SÄ«nÄ and Islamic rational theology ( kalÄ m): in which we see how Ibn SÄ«nÄ responded to this tradition in many areas of his thought. A final chapter looks at Ibn SÄ«nÄ 's legacy in both the Islamic world and in Latin Christendom. Here Adamson focuses on the critical responses to Ibn SÄ«nÄ in subsequent generations by such figures as al-GhazÄ lÄ«, al-SuhrawardÄ«, and Fakhr al-DÄ«n al-RÄ zÄ«.

 

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Year: 2023

Paperback