Examining the Attribution of Purgatorial Evolution to Avicenna

Abstract

Due to the influence of religious teachings, soul evolution after separation from the body has become one of the most important philosophical issues in recent decades. According to some scholars, Avicenna, among many philosophers, supported evolution in purgatory and the afterlife. According to these scholars, Avicenna's four philosophical works contain statements indicating the existence of movement and perfection in imperfect souls after they have separated from the body. However, according to them, one can apply his idea to all souls by paying attention to other statements in his works. The current study, which employs a descriptive-analytical approach, demonstrates that this interpretation of Avicenna's statements results from interpreting his texts with presuppositions. Avicenna has not proven the occurrence of immaterial soul evolution, nor has he proven its possibility. He merely wanted to prove the survival and resurrection of imperfect souls.

Keywords

• imperfect souls
• purgatorial evolution
• resurrection
• survival of imperfect souls
• celestial body