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Averroes
- The Reformer -

                       When Averroes (Ibn Rushd) was born, three centuries had already passed since Al-Kindi had welcomed philosophy among the Arabs. Reviewing the entire development of the theses of his predecessors, under a rigorous reading of the works of Aristotle, Averroes had in mind recovering the authentic doctrine of the Greek philosopher.

                       During this period, the philosophy of Avicenna – the most oriental of the falasifa – was an obligatory reference of Greek philosophy in the eastern part of the Muslim world, interpenetrating a Platonic character to Aristotle's theses. The task of trying to bring thought back to the rigor of Aristotelian philosophy was carried out by Averroes from the westernmost point of the Muslim world: Spain.

                Averroes (1126/1198 AD) was born in Córdoba and descended from a long line of eminent scholars and jurists. He followed the same path as his ancestors, having initially studied traditional studies on Islamic law, then studied medicine, astronomy, theology, mathematics and other sciences that formed the basis of knowledge at the time and, of course, philosophy.

           Averroes' production was voluminous, comprising a list of ninety-two works on philosophy, theology, law, astronomy, grammar and medicine. Averroes showed high regard for Aristotle, considering his philosophy to be the limit of human speculation.

                The fate of his philosophy was more linked to the West than to the East, influencing Jewish thought with Maimonides and the disputes of the Christians Siger of Brabant, Albert the Great and Thomas Aquinas.

                Averroes was the last philosopher with a universal profile in the Arabic language in his classical period, pointing out new directions for thought and opening new horizons in the search for knowledge. In Europe, many of his ideas arrived with vigor, heralding new paths for philosophy and modern science.

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Visit the Muslim Philosophy website where some of Averroes' books are available in Arabic or in translations into modern languages, as well as articles and commentaries by other scholars.

Source ©: Fresco The School of Athens by Raphael Sanzio. Apostolic Palace, Vatican, 1510. Detail.

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