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Very Short Introductions #736
Ibn Sina (Avicenna): A Very Short Introduction
Very Short Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring
This book provides an introduction to the most important philosopher of the Islamic world, Ibn Sīnā, often known in English by his Latinized name Avicenna. After introducing the man and his works, with an overview of the historical context in which he lived, the book devotes chapters to the different areas of Ibn Sīnā's thought. Among the topics covered are his innovations in logic, his theory of the human soul and its powers, the relation between his medical writings and his philosophy, and his metaphysics of existence. Particular attention is given to two famous his flying man thought experiment and the so-called “demonstration of the truthful,” a proof for the existence of God as the Necessary Existent. A distinctive feature of the book is its attention to the relationship between Ibn Sīnā and Islamic rational theology ( kalām ): in which we see how Ibn Sīnā responded to this tradition in many areas of his thought. A final chapter looks at Ibn Sīnā's legacy i
Islamic world and in Latin Christendom. Here Adamson focuses on the critical responses to Ibn Sīnā in subsequent generations by such figures as al-Ghazālī, al-Suhrawardī, and Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī.
ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
This book provides an introduction to the most important philosopher of the Islamic world, Ibn Sīnā, often known in English by his Latinized name Avicenna. After introducing the man and his works, with an overview of the historical context in which he lived, the book devotes chapters to the different areas of Ibn Sīnā's thought. Among the topics covered are his innovations in logic, his theory of the human soul and its powers, the relation between his medical writings and his philosophy, and his metaphysics of existence. Particular attention is given to two famous his flying man thought experiment and the so-called “demonstration of the truthful,” a proof for the existence of God as the Necessary Existent. A distinctive feature of the book is its attention to the relationship between Ibn Sīnā and Islamic rational theology ( kalām ): in which we see how Ibn Sīnā responded to this tradition in many areas of his thought. A final chapter looks at Ibn Sīnā's legacy i
Islamic world and in Latin Christendom. Here Adamson focuses on the critical responses to Ibn Sīnā in subsequent generations by such figures as al-Ghazālī, al-Suhrawardī, and Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī.
ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
128 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2023
7 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Peter S. Adamson
30 books122 followersPeter Scott Adamson is an American academic who is professor of philosophy in late antiquity and in the Islamic world at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich as well as professor of ancient and medieval philosophy at Kings College London.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 9, 2023
This boon will be read again and again until it posits in the soul.
March 31, 2024
Great stuff. Adamson playing to his strengths with this one.
February 9, 2025
Hey, just finished Adamson's book on Ibn Sina and I've got thoughts! Solid 4 stars. You know what really got me? How he breaks down Ibn Sina's "flying man" thought experiment - it's mind-bending stuff, and Adamson makes it actually make sense.
The way Ibn Sina merged Greek philosophy with Islamic theology is fascinating. And get this - his medical background totally shaped his philosophical ideas. Not many thinkers could pull off being both a brilliant doctor and philosopher.
But here's the thing - the book feels a bit rushed in places. I wanted to hear more about how Ibn Sina influenced Persian mysticism, and they barely touched on his groundbreaking medical work. "The Canon of Medicine" was basically the medical bible for centuries, and it gets such a brief mention!
Still, I've got to hand it to Adamson - he completely demolishes that old story about Islamic scholars just copying Greek ideas. Ibn Sina wasn't just preserving knowledge, he was transforming it into something entirely new. Ever noticed how some philosophy books make your eyes glaze over? This one doesn't. It's actually readable!
Bottom line? If you're curious about Islamic philosophy, this is a great place to start. Just don't expect it to be the complete story.
The way Ibn Sina merged Greek philosophy with Islamic theology is fascinating. And get this - his medical background totally shaped his philosophical ideas. Not many thinkers could pull off being both a brilliant doctor and philosopher.
But here's the thing - the book feels a bit rushed in places. I wanted to hear more about how Ibn Sina influenced Persian mysticism, and they barely touched on his groundbreaking medical work. "The Canon of Medicine" was basically the medical bible for centuries, and it gets such a brief mention!
Still, I've got to hand it to Adamson - he completely demolishes that old story about Islamic scholars just copying Greek ideas. Ibn Sina wasn't just preserving knowledge, he was transforming it into something entirely new. Ever noticed how some philosophy books make your eyes glaze over? This one doesn't. It's actually readable!
Bottom line? If you're curious about Islamic philosophy, this is a great place to start. Just don't expect it to be the complete story.
November 12, 2025
I was predisposed to like this book because I love Adamson’s History of Philosophy podcast. An exceptional aid to understanding the most important philosopher of the Islamic world, it was even better than I had hoped. Adamson has a gift for explaining difficult concepts in an understandable way.
One tiny note — I would have liked the chapters to more explicitly reference which specific works they were drawing from. It would have helped me match up with my Ibn Sina readings.
One tiny note — I would have liked the chapters to more explicitly reference which specific works they were drawing from. It would have helped me match up with my Ibn Sina readings.
October 6, 2025
A pretty good intro to Ibn Sina and his ideas. Very dense; being better acquainted with Aristotle beforehand would have helped immensely.
March 7, 2024
Describes his philosophy more than his scientific achievements. Useful theology even in this era.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews