The elements of Avicenna's physics : Greek sources and Arabic innovations / Andreas Lammer.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lammer, Andreas, author.

Series:

Scientia Graeco-Arabica ; 20

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Islamic philosophy.

Avicenna, 980-1037--Criticism and interpretation.

Avicenna.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (614 pages) : illustrations

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berlin ; Boston : De Gruyter, [2018]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

This study is the first comprehensive analysis of the physical theory of the Islamic philosopher Avicenna (d. 1037). It seeks to understand his contribution against the developments within the preceding Greek and Arabic intellectual milieus, and to appreciate his philosophy as such by emphasising his independence as a critical and systematic thinker. Exploring Avicenna's method of "teaching and learning," it investigates the implications of his account of the natural body as a three-dimensionally extended composite of matter and form, and examines his views on nature as a principle of motion and his analysis of its relation to soul. Moreover, it demonstrates how Avicenna defends the Aristotelian conception of place against the strident criticism of his predecessors, among other things, by disproving the existence of void and space. Finally, it sheds new light on Avicenna's account of the essence and the existence of time. For the first time taking into account the entire range of Avicenna's major writings, this study fills a gap in our understanding both of the history of natural philosophy in general and of the philosophy of Avicenna in particular.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

List of Abbreviations

List of Figures and Tables

Preface

Acknowledgements / Lammer, Andreas

Introduction

1. The Arabic Fate of Aristotle's Physics

2. The Methodology of Teaching and Learning

3. The Subject-Matter of Physics

4. Nature and Power

5. Putting Surface Back into Place

6. Time and Temporality in the Physical World

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

"The BRAIS-De Gruyter Prize for 2017 has been awarded to Andreas Lammer for this monograph"

ISBN:

9783110710199

3110710196

9783110546088

3110546086

OCLC:

1024024708