A Critical Study on the Aspects of Rational Soul Perfection in Avicennian Philosophy

Abstract

Philosophical anthropology is one of the main issues in Ibn Sina's philosophy. Defining the concept of the soul, Ibn Sina states his ideas about human perfection. Thus, questions raised what is the ultimate perfection of a rational soul and what are the sensible criticisms of it? Would Ibn Sina's philosophy answer the questions of modern man on the related issues? Ibn Sina is of the opinion that human perfection is a kind of intellectual perfection achieved through reaching al-ʿaql al-mustafād (acquired intellect). Therefore, perfection is achieved in the light of theoretical intellect and practical intellect preliminary paves the way to reach perfection. Ibn Sina's view on perfection flows in the body of Islamic philosophy until the advent of Mulla Sadra's philosophy. He criticized Ibn Sina's thoughts and rebuilt his theory, but he didn't go much beyond it. The crux of Ibn Sina's problem is that he divided various degrees of the soul and didn't pay enough attention to the interference of human will as well as the corporeal and worldly aspects rooted in social and political life.

Keywords

• ibn sina
• soul
• soul perfection
• theoretical intellect
• practical intellect
• human will