School of thought

Averroism

Intellectual current

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Classification

Period
c. 1180-1600 CE
Regions
europe, middle east
Domains
Epistemology , Metaphysics

Overview

Averroism arose from the reception of Ibn Rushd's commentaries on Aristotle and became associated in Latin Europe with the autonomy of philosophical inquiry, the eternity of the world, and the unity of the intellect. On Ibn Rushd's mature account, the material (or possible) intellect is a single, separate substance shared by all human beings. The movement was also charged with a 'double truth' doctrine, although that label is a disputed later characterization rather than a straightforward teaching of Ibn Rushd or every Latin Averroist.

Key ideas

  • Autonomy of Philosophy: Averroes argued that philosophy has its own domain and methods, independent of theology. Where they overlap, both pursue truth — contradiction between them is only apparent.
  • Unity of the Intellect: In Ibn Rushd's mature interpretation of Aristotle, the material (or possible) intellect is single, separate, and shared by all humans. Scholars dispute exactly what this account entails for personal immortality; it puts ordinary individual survival under pressure, but the consequence is not settled.
  • Eternity of the World: Following Aristotle, Averroes argued that the world has no temporal beginning — it is eternal, sustained in existence by God as its eternal cause.

Key figures

Ibn Rushd (Averroes) · Siger of Brabant · Boethius of Dacia

Influenced by

Later connections

References