Avicenna's Philosophy Course Handout 04 (Classification of Sciences)

Outline

a.     Introduction

                                                             i.      Criterion of classification

1.    Subject matter

2.    Goal

3.    Method

a.     Rational arguments (philosophy and mathematics)

b.    Experiments

c.     Narrative (history)

                                                           ii.      Aristotelian division

1.    Theoretical: to know

2.    Practical: to do

3.    Poetical: to make

b.    Philosophy

                                                             i.      Theoretical: to find the truth, perfect the soul by knowledge alone

1.    Natural: in matter and with motion

2.    Mathematical: in matter but without motion

3.    Theological: not in matter and not with motion

                                                           ii.      Practical: to find the good (or apply the good?) perfect the soul through the knowledge and application of good

c.     Avicenna’s own classification

                                                             i.      With permanent rules (Hikmi Sciences)

1.    Instrumental (applied sciences)

2.    Non-instrumental

a.     Theoretical

b.    Practical

                                                           ii.      With relative or temporal rules

Book Excerpts

Avicenna and Classification of Sciences. Gutas