The Metaphysics Of The Healing

424 Pages·2005·25.413 MB·English

by  Avicenna, Michael E. Marmura

Aboutthe Translator
MICHAEL E. MARMURA was born inJerusalemon November II, 1929. He
receivedhis BAin1953from theUniversityofWisconsinandwentontoobtain
bothanMAandaPhDfrom the UniversityofMichigan.From 1952until 1995
he taught at the UniversityofToronto.As ProfessorEmeritus,he iscurrently
associatedwiththeDepartmentofNearandMiddleEasternCivilizationofthe
UniversityofToronto.
Dr.MarmurahaspublishedmedievalArabicphilosophicaltextsandtransla
tions,aswellasnumerousarticlesonIslamicphilosophy,manyofthemdevoted
tothe thoughtofAvicennaandal-Ghazali.Histranslationofal-Ghazali'sinflu
entialIncoherenceofthePhilosophersfortheIslamicTranslationSerieshasreceived
wide acclaim. Other ofhis publications include an edition ofAvicenna's Fi
ithbiit al-nubuwwiit (ProofofProphecy); Refutation byAlexanderofAphrodisiasof
Galen's TreatiseontheTheoryofMotion,withN. Rescher; and IslamicTheologyand
Philosophy: StudiesinHonorofGeorgeF.Hourani, ofwhichhewastheeditor.With
W MontgomeryWatt he coauthoreda historyofIslamic philosophythatwas
incorporatedinDerIslamII- PolitischeEntwicklungen undtheologischeKonzepte.
A Note on the Iype
The English text ofthis bookwas setin BASKERVILLE, a typeface originally
designedbyJohnBaskelVille (1706-1775),aBritishstonecutter,letterdesigner,
typefounder, and printer. The Baskerville type isconsidered to beone ofthe
first "transitional"faces-a deliberate move awayfrom the "old style"ofthe
Continental humanist printer. Its rounded letterforms presented a greater
differentiation ofthick and thin strokes, the serifs on the lowercase letters
were more nearly horizontal, and the stress was nearer the vertical-all of
which would later influence the "modern" style undertaken by Bodoni and
Didot in the 1790s. Because ofits high readability, particularlyinlongtexts,
the type was subsequently copied by all major typefoundries. (The original
punchesand matrices stillsUlVive todayat Cambridge UniversityPress.) This
adaptation, designed by the Compugraphic Corporation in the 1960s, is a
notabledeparturefrom otherversionsoftheBaskelVille typeface byitsoverall
typographicevennessandlightnessincolor.Toenhance its range,supplemen
taldiacriticsandligatureswerecreatedin 1997for exclusive use in thisseries.
TYPOGRAPHY BY JONATHAN SALTZMAN
•
Avicenna
BRIGHAMYOUNGUNIVERSITY
MIDDLE EASTERNTEXTS INITIATIVE
EDITOR IN CHIEF The Metaphysics
DanielC.Peterson
of The Healing
: ~~\
EDITOR
D.l\forgan Davis
A parallelEnglish-Arabic text
ASSOClATE EDITOR
Muhammad Eissa translated, introduced, andannotatedl!J!
Michael E. Marmura
ADVISORY BOARD
CharlesE. Butterworth
WilliamC.Chittick
Farhad Daftary
MajidE Fakhry
MichaelE.Marmura
IsmailK. Poonawala
JohnWalbridge
HosseinZiai
CO-FOUNDING EDITOR
ParvizMorewedge
Brigham Young UniversityPress • Provo, Utah • 2005
~ /
ss-
,
'f
Publication rifthis volume
was madepossibletry thegenerosity rif
KHOSROW B. SEMNANI
in honorrifhiswifl
GHAZALEH SEMNANI
©2005byBrigham Young UniversityPress.Allrightsreserved.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
Avicenna,980-1037.
[Ilahiyat. English&Arabic]
The metaphysicsofThe healing: aparallelEnglish-Arabictext
= al-Ilahiyat minalShifa'IAvicenna; translated,introduced,and
annotatedbyMichaelE. Marmura.
p. cm.-(Islamictranslationseries)
Includesbibliographicalreferences (p. )andindex.
ISBN0-934893-77-2 (alk. paper)
1.Metaphysics-Earlyworks to 1800. 2.Philosophy,Islamic
Earlyworks to 1800. I. Title: IlahiyatminalShifa'. II. Marmura,
MichaelE., 1929- III.Title. IV Series.
B751.S5E5 2004
11O'-dc22 2004052910
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
05 06 07 08 09 10 11 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
FirstEdition
10the memory!.if
FATHER GEORGES C. ANAWATI
Contents
Foreword to the Series xv
Acknowledgments XVll
Note onConventions XVlll
Translator's Introduction XIX
Key to theArabic Notes XXVI
• • •
BookOne
Consistingofeight chapters
Chapter [One]: On beginning toseek thesubject'-!ffirstphilosophy
so that its individualquiddityamongthesciencesbecomesevident
Chapter [Two]: On attainingthesubject matter'-!fthisscience 7
Chapter [Three]: On the benifit'-!fthisscience, the order[in which
it isstudied], andits name 13
Chapter [Four]: On the totality'-!fmatters discussedin thisscience 19
Chapter [Five]: On indicatingtheexistent, the thing, andtheirfirst
division, wherewith attention isdirectedto the objective[sought] 22
Chapter [Six]: On commencingadiscourse on theNecessary Existent
andthepossibleexistent; that theNecessaryExistenthas nocause;
that thepossibleexistent iscaused; that theNecessaryExistent
has noequivalentin existenceandis not dependent[in existence]
on another 29
-ix-
x Contents Contents
Xl
Chapter [Seven]: That theNecessary Existent is one 34 Chapter [Nine]: On qualities that are in quantities;
proofqf[theirexistence] III
Chapter [Eight]: On clarifYing[the meaning]of"truth"and
"veraciry':· deftnse riftheprimarystatementsin truepremises 38 Chapter [Ten]: On the relative 116
BookTwo Book Four
Consistingoffour chapters Consistingofthree chapters
Chapter [One]: On makingknown substance andits divisions Chapter [One]: On thepriorandposterior, andon origination 124
in auniversalway 45
Chapter [Two]: Onpotency, act, power, andimpotence, and
Chapter [Two]: On ascertainingcorporealsubstanceandwhat onproving[theexistence]rifmatterfir everygeneratedthing 130
iscomposedJrom it 48
Chapter [Three]: On the complete, the incomplete, andwhat is
Chapter [Three]: That corporealmatteris notdevoidriffirm 57 above completion; on the whole andon the total 143
Chapter [Four]: Onplacingfirm priorto matterin the rank
rifexistence 63 Book Five
Consistingofnine chapters
BookThree Chapter [One]: Ongeneral things andthe mannerriftheirexistence 148
Consistingoften chapters
Chapter [Two]: On the mannerin which universalirycomes to
Chapter [One]: On indicatingwhat ought to beinvestigated belong to universalnatures; completingthe discussion rifthis
regarding thestaterifthe ninecategoriesandabout their [topic]; andon the diffirence between the whole andthepart,
accidental[nature] 71 the universalandtheparticular 157
Chapter [Two]: On discussing the one 74 Chapter [Three]: On diffirentiating betweengenus andmatter 162
Chapter [Three]: On ascertaining the oneandthe marryand Chapter [Four]: On the mannerin which ideasextraneous togenus
showing that numberis an accident 79 enterits nature 168
Chapter [Four]: That measures are accidents 84 Chapter [Five]: On thespecies 174
Chapter [Five]: On ascertaining the naturerifnumber, difining Chapter [Six]: On makingdiffirentia known andascertaining
itsspecies, andshowingitsbeginnings 91 [its nature] 175
Chapter [Six]: On the opposition rifthe one andthe many 96 Chapter [Seven]: On makingknown theproperrelationship
between difinition andthe thing difined 180
Chapter [Seven]: That qualitiesare accidents 102
Chapter [Eight]: On difinition 186
Chapter [Eight]: On knowledge, that it is an accident 107
Chapter [Nine]: On the appropriate relation between difinition
anditsparts 190
xii Contents Contents xiii
Book Six Chapter [Two]: Concerningdoubts adhering to what hasbeen said,
Consistingoffive chapters andthe resolution thereqf 262
Chapter [One]: On the division qfcauses andtheirstates 194 Chapter [Three]: On showingthefinitude qfthefinal andflrmal
causes; onproving[theexistenceqf]thefirstprinciplein an absolute
Chapter [Two]: On resolving doubts directedagainst what the
manner; on makingdecisive thestatementon thefirst cause absolutely
adherents qftruedoctrinehold, to the iffect that everycause
andon thefirst cause restrictedly, showingthat whatis absolutely
coexistswith itsiffect; andon ascertaining the truestatements
afirst cause is acauseflr the rest qfthe causes 270
201
about the ifficientcause
Chapter [Four]: On theprimary attributes qftheprinciple that is
Chapter [Three]: On thecompatibility between the ifficientcauses
necessary in itsexistence 273
205
andtheiriffects
Chapter [Five]: As though aconfirmation andarecapitulation
Chapter [Four]: Concerning the othercauses-theelemental,
qfwhat hasbeenpreviouslydiscussedconcerningthe unityqfthe
215
theflrmal, andthefinal Necessary Existent andallHis attributes, by way qfconclusion 278
Chapter [Five]: On establishingpurpose andresolvingskeptical
Chapter [Six]: That He isperfect-indeed, aboveperfection-good,
doubts utteredin rifuting it; the difference betweenpurpose and
bestower[qfexistence]on everythingaflerHim; [that He is]truth
necessity; makingknown the mannerin whichpurpose isprior
andpure intellect; thatHe apprehendsintellectually allthings,
to the rest qfthe causes andthe mannerin which it isposterior 220
andthe mannerqfthis; howHe knowsHimself, howHe knows
universals; howHe knowsparticulars, andthe mannerin which
Book Seven it is notpermittedtosay thatHe apprehends them 283
Consistingofthree chapters
Chapter [Seven]: On the relation qfthe intelligibles toHim; on making
itclearthatHispositive andnegativeattributesdo notnecessitate
Chapter [One]: On the appendages qfunity by way qfhaecceity
multiplicity in His essence; that toHim belongssupremesplendor,
andits divisions; the appendages qfmultiplicityby way qfotherness,
difference, andthe well-known kinds qf'opposition 236 the lqfliest majesty, andinfiniteglory; on explaining in detail the
stateqfintellectualpleasure 291
Chapter [Two]: On relating the doctrine qfthe ancientphilosophers
regarding the exemplarsandtheprinciplesqfmathematicsandthe
BookNine
reason callingflrthis; revealing the origin qfthe ignorance that
243 On the emanation ofthings from the first governance
br!ftllthem, by reason qfwhich they deviated[from the truth]
and the return to Him; [consistingof] seven chapters
Chapter [Three]: On rifuting the doctrine[qftheseparateexistence]
249 Chapter [One]: On the attributeqfthe ifficacyqftheFirstPrinciple 299
qfmathematical[objects]andexemplars
Chapter [Two]: That theproximate moverqftheheavens is neither
Book Eight anature noran intellectbutasoul, andthat the remoteprinciple
On knowing the First Principle ofall existence and is an intellect 307
on knowingHis attributes; [consistingof] sevenchapters
Chapter [Three]: On the mannerin which actsproceedfrom the
Chapter [One]: On thefinitude qfthe ifficientandthe receptive causes 257 lqftyprinciplesso that,from this, one wouldknow what oneought
toknow concerningtheseparate movers that areintellectually
apprehendedin themselves andare loved 318
xzv Contents
Chapter [Four]: On theorderingofthe existenceofthe intellect,
celestialsouls, andcelestialbodies[thatproceed}from the
326
FirstPrinciple
Chapter [Five]: On thestateofthegeneration oftheelements
334
by thefirst causes
Chapter [Six]: Onprovidence, showingthe manneroftheentry
ofevilin divinepredetermination 339 Foreword to the Series
Chapter [Seven]: Concerning "the return,"[the hereafter} 347
BookTen Brigham Young University and its Middle Eastern Texts Initiative are
Consistingoffive chapters pleased to sponsor and publish the Islamic Translation Series (ITS). We
wish to express our appreciation toJames L. and BeverleySorenson of
Chapter [One]: A briifstatementon the beginningand"the return'". Salt Lake Cityfor their generous support,which made ITS possible, and
on inspirations, dreams, andprayers that are answered, andcelestial to the Ashton Family Foundation ofOrem, Utah, which kindly provided
punishments; on thestateofprophecy andofastrologicalpredictions 358 additional funding so that we might continue.
Islamic civilization represents nearly fourteen centuries ofintense
Chapter [Two]: On theproofofprophecy; the manneroftheprophet's
callto God, exaltedbeHe; andthe "return"to Him 364 intellectual activity, and believers in Islam number in the hundreds of
millions. The texts that appear in ITS are among the treasures ofthis
Chapter [Three]: On actsofworship: theirbenrjits in this world great culture. But theyare more than that. Theyare properlythe inher
andthe next 367 itance ofall the peoples ofthe world. As an institution ofThe Churchof
Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints, Brigham Young Universityis honored
Chapter [Four]: On establishingthecity, thehousehold-that is,
marriage-andthe universallawspertaining to[these matters} 370 to assist in making these texts available to many for the first time. In
doingso,we hope toserve ourfellowhuman beings,ofallcreedsand cul
Chapter [Five]: Concerning thecaliph andthe imam: the necessity tures. We also follow the admonition ofour own tradition, to "seek ...
ofobeying them; remarks onpolitics, transactions, andmorals 374 out ofthe best bookswordsofwisdom," believing, indeed, that "the glory
ofGod is intelligence."
• • •
-DANIEL C. PETERSON
Notes to the English Text 381 D. MORGAN DAVIS
423
Bibliography
426
Index
-xv-
Acknowledgments
I must begin by thanking Professor Daniel C. Peterson and his editorial
team, particularlyProfessorD. MorganDavis and ElizabethW Watkins,
for their careful scrutiny of this translation. Together with Angela C.
Barrionuevo, Paula Hicken, Emily Ellsworth, and Linda Sheffield, they
havecorrectedgrammatical mishaps, trackeddown ambiguities,andsug
gested extensive stylisticimprovements. IrenaAbramianwas most help
ful in typesetting the Arabic text.
Manyyears ago, ProfessorEdwardM. Macierowsky,while stilla grad
uate student, read an initialdraft ofmytranslationofthe first twobooks
oftheMetaphysics ofTheHealing andmadea numberofusefulcomments.
More recently,ProfessorTherese-AnneDruartverykindlyread aversion
ofthe entire translationand made manya helpfulcomment. Iowe these
two scholars a debt ofthanks. (Anyshortcomings ofthis work, however,
remainentirelymyown.) Iamalsogratefultomywife,Elizabeth,whohas
supported and encouraged me in mywork and has read parts ofit, sug
gestingimprovements in style.
Last but not least, I am indebted to Avicennan scholars, past and
present,whose researches have pavedthewayfor the presenttranslation.
One such scholaris the late Georges C.Anawati, affectionatelyreferred
to byfriends and colleagues as abuna, "our father." It is to his memory
that this work is dedicated.
- xvii-