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The Font of Well-Being: Fitted Dynamics in Avicenna's Natural Philosophy

Resource type
Thesis type
(Thesis) M.A.
Date created
2015-05-28
Authors/Contributors
Author: Wen, Yaqiong
Abstract
This thesis reads Avicenna’s (d. 1037) treatise, The Canon of Medicine, alongside his philosophical and esoteric works to uncover the material conditions of human well-being. For Avicenna, well-being is complex; it is not only a state of being, but also an activity. For Avicenna, in order for a person to flourish, he/she must exercise the uniquely human part of his/her psyche, viz. the rational soul. Framing Avicenna’s perspective: a doctor cannot be considered a good doctor if he/she does not perform the activities of a doctor and a person cannot be considered a good person if he/she does not perform the activities of a person. In order for these potential activities to become actualized they must occur within fields of action that are fitted to humanity’s unique nature. This thesis argues that Avicenna’s Canon is philosophically relevant, offering insights into the most intimate of these fields: the human body.
Document
Identifier
etd9046
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author.
Permissions
This thesis may be printed or downloaded for non-commercial research and scholarly purposes.
Scholarly level
Supervisor or Senior Supervisor
Thesis advisor: Angus, Ian
Thesis advisor: Dutton, Paul
Member of collection
Download file Size
etd9046_DGladstone.pdf 1.09 MB

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