Lesson 6 - Non-Christian Medieval Philosophy

Question 1

Who was the influential Islam synthesizer of Aristotle and Neoplatonism?

Answer 1

Avicenna (980-1037)

Question 2

What was Avicenna’s distinction between essence and existence?

Answer 2

1.) Essence - the what-ness of something
2.) Existence - the that-ness of something
Ex. Pegasus - doesn’t have existence, but we can describe things about the creature

Question 3

Who tried to reconcile Aristotle with Islam theology?

Answer 3

Averroes (1126-1198)

Question 4

How did Averroes see the relationship between theology and philosophy?

Answer 4

Two separate roads leading to truth

– dualism later developed into “double truth”

Question 5

Who attempted to reconcile the OT with Greek philosophy?

Answer 5

Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) - Rabbi Moses

Question 6

What was Moses Maimonides relationship between theology and philosophy?

Answer 6

2 harmonious realms of knowledge

– no final conflict between the 2