AVICENNA’S CONCEPTION OF METAPHYSICS AS A SCIENCE

Abstract

Abstract: This essay presents an interpretation of Avicenna’s idea of metaphysics as a science of being qua being. Avicenna occupies a crucial place in the history of ontology. Part of the reason of this importance lies in his distinguishing metaphysics (as a science of being qua being), the first science, methodologically from theology and in his ascribing to it a systematical foundational function. But metaphysics is not only the source and origin of all other sciences, but it is also the end of them. Avicenna believes that the meaning of being and its basic determinations (meanings of thing, existent and necessary) are a priori and as such self-evident. Human knowers thus possess an a priori, immediate intelligibility of being that forms the starting points of any philosophical reflection after reality. Avicenna’s idea of metaphysics as the science of being qua being rests on taking being as a matter of pure self-evidence and certainty, and this point is quite important for his project of sciences as a whole. Being fulfills this function as the most general meaning of human mind. We will here explore the implications of this idea of science in a critical manner.

Keywords

• metaphysics
• theology
• being
• meaning
• being qua being

IBN SİNA’NIN BİR BİLİM OLARAK METAFİZİK ANLAYIŞI

Öz

This essay presents an interpretation of Avicenna’s idea of metaphysics as a science of being qua being. Avicenna occupies a crucial place in the history of ontology. Part of the reason of this importance lies in his distinguishing metaphysics (as a science of being qua being), the first science, methodologically from theology and in his ascribing to it a systematical foundational function. But metaphysics is not only the source and origin of all other sciences, but it is also the end of them. Avicenna believes that the meaning of being and its basic determinations (meanings of thing, existent and necessary) are a priori and as such self-evident. Human knowers thus possess an a priori, immediate intelligibility of being that forms the starting points of any philosophical reflection after reality. Avicenna’s idea of metaphysics as the science of being qua being rests on taking being as a matter of pure self-evidence and certainty, and this point is quite important for his project of sciences as a whole. Being fulfills this function as the most general meaning of human mind. We will here explore the implications of this idea of science in a critical manner.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• metaphysics
• theology
• being
• meaning

Kaynakça

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