Averroism from Aquinas to Egypt

Presentation Type

Oral and/or Visual Presentation

Presenter Major(s)

Business Administration, Philosophy

Mentor Information

Coeli Fitzpatrick

Department

Philosophy

Location

Kirkhof Center 2216

Start Date

11-4-2012 12:30 PM

Keywords

Historical Perspectives, Philosophy/ Literature, Religion

Abstract

This essay is a brief examination of the life and philosophy of the great 12th century philosopher Averroes. Averroes (or Ibn Rushd) was instrumental in the development of both Arab and Christian philosophy. This paper looks specifically at his influence on Thomas Aquinas. The two share incredible similarities regarding their views on faith and reason and their common use of Aristotle. However the two also differ in some of their views on faith and reason and reconstructions of what came to be called Aristotle's Active Intellect. Thus we see Averroes significantly influence Aquinas. Furthermore, Averroism, or the study of the influence of Averroes, goes forward to the 20th century to impact and consequentially fuel Egyptian Enlightenment movements through the means of reason. The philosophy of Averroes offers, in a way, advice for combating a strict Islamist regime.

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Apr 11th, 12:30 PM

Averroism from Aquinas to Egypt

Kirkhof Center 2216

This essay is a brief examination of the life and philosophy of the great 12th century philosopher Averroes. Averroes (or Ibn Rushd) was instrumental in the development of both Arab and Christian philosophy. This paper looks specifically at his influence on Thomas Aquinas. The two share incredible similarities regarding their views on faith and reason and their common use of Aristotle. However the two also differ in some of their views on faith and reason and reconstructions of what came to be called Aristotle's Active Intellect. Thus we see Averroes significantly influence Aquinas. Furthermore, Averroism, or the study of the influence of Averroes, goes forward to the 20th century to impact and consequentially fuel Egyptian Enlightenment movements through the means of reason. The philosophy of Averroes offers, in a way, advice for combating a strict Islamist regime.