Avicenna

Medieval Philosophy

In this course, Professor John Marenbon (University of Cambridge) explores Medieval Philosophy through seven key thinkers. In the first module, we explore the philosophy of Avicenna, thinking in particular about his proof of existence of God and his views on the human soul. After that, we turn to Abelard and his proposed solution to the problem of universals. In the third module, we focus on the Islamic philosopher Averroes, focusing on his readings of Aristotle, before turning in the fourth module to the Jewish philosopher Maimonides. In the fifth module, we look at the works of Duns Scotus, including his thoughts on free will and the problem of universals, before turning to another Jewish philosopher—Gersonides—in the sixth module. In the final module, we look at the philosophy of a slightly later thinker, Pietro Pomponazzi, and his views on the mortality of the soul and the autonomy of the discipline of philosophy.

Avicenna

In this module, we explore the philosophy of the Islamic philosopher Avicenna (980 – 1037), focusing in particular on his readings of Aristotle, his proof of the existence of God, and his views on the human soul.