PHIL 787 Avicenna, Averroes, and Aquinas on Intellect
An in-depth investigation into the competing theories of intellect from Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Averroes (Ibn Rushd), and Thomas Aquinas. These are three of the most important medieval noetic systems, adapting Aristotelian and Neo-Platonic views, while shaping influential debates lasting into later medieval and Renaissance philosophy. We will strive to understand each thinker on his own terms as much as possible in order to evaluate the three positions. Readings include Avicenna's Psychology of The Cure; Averroes's Long Commentary on De Anima; Aquinas's De Unitate Intellectus; and important secondary scholarship.