Philosophy

Ibn Hazm's Philosophy and Thoughts on Science

Summarised extracts from a full article, see resources below, where end notes, references and bibliography are given.

by: Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation. Info@fstc.co.uk

This short article is extracted from the full paper where the details of Ibn Hazm's works, comments on various aspects of science and scientists and his views on physical sciences are given with the necessary footnotes and references.

Nothing more appropriate to open this article on Ibn Hazm's thoughts on science than some of his sayings. According to him(1),

"What fixes and preserves a nation's language, as well as its sciences and its history, is simply the strength of its political power, accompanied by the happy welfare and leisure of its inhabitants." Ibn Hazm

In Kitab al-Akhlaq wa'l Siyar(2), he says:

"Compare yourself, for wealth, status and health to those lower to you. For faith, science, and virtue, compare yourself to those who are higher than you." Ibn Hazm

And:

"Sciences are like powerful drugs, which suit the strong and exhaust the weak. Likewise, complex sciences enrich a vigorous mind, and keep it off evil, but exhaust the mediocre mind." Ibn Hazm

Abu Muhammad "Ali Ibn Ahmad Ibn Sa'id Ibn HAZM, ( November 994- August 1064) grew up in the period of final collapse of Ummayad rule in Spain as the nation disintegrated into often conflicting local states. That period of turbulence and his early education by women, in whose midst he grew, far from the company of other children(3), were to have profound effects on Ibn Hazm's thoughts and character. As a scholar, Ibn Hazm had a great reputation, and was one of the most original theologians and literati of Muslim Spain. He was a master of many disciplines, including history, grammar, poetry, genealogy, and logic, and wrote works of enduring importance in Islamic theology and law(4). He is the author of over 400 works, and was greatly reputed for his vast capacity to memorize both lines and random facts(5). Carra de Veaux seems to bear little recognition for Ibn Hazm, though, stating amongst others that his production, although vast, was hardly devoid of errors(6). Ibn Hazm, however, in his Book of Introduction, Kitab al-Taqrib, which is now extant, states that 'science consist in knowing with certainty something according to what it really is, or by an evident proof which hence helps reach certitude'(7). This theme frequently occurs in his works. The full article seeks to look into this aspect as well as his philosophy and thoughts on science, its merits and its relationship to morals.

The full article is divided into two main parts. The first gives contain:

- Life Synopsis
- Thoughts and Accomplishments
- Virtues of Science
- Territoriality of Science
- Fundamental Duties of the Scholar
- The Perfect Sciences
- Conduct of Men of Science in Disputations
- Classification of Science

The second reviews Ibn Hazm's Views on:

- Natural Sciences
- Numbers and Geometry
- Dynamics
- Astronomy
- Physics
- Life Sciences

Much of Ibn Hazm's work (400 nearly 80,000 pages) is still in Arabic. Although there are numerous Spanish and French translations of some of his books, there are very few in English. This paper attempted to review, in all three languages, his philosophy and thought on science, its virtues, territoriality, methods of its instruction and acquisition. The full article alludes to some of his ideas on natural and physical sciences.

Analdez, likened Ibn Hazm to the French philosopher-rationalist, Descartes. Perhaps more appropriately, comparisons should have been drawn between Ibn Hazm and the other French philosopher-scientist: Pascal (1623-62): the cohabitation, or the working together of science and high, God inspired morality.

Ibn Hazm's thoughts and philosophy on science have also another dimension. It is common with later Islamic scholars, such as Al-Ghazali, in classifying sciences, to assists in their understanding and promotion. He drew the boundaries, and the rules within science as a whole. He moreover, which is quite important, provided the learner indications of how to go on about it, integrating the highly complex, abstract, moral and also the most down to earth, such as the perfect behaviour at a scientific gathering. This classification, gradually perfected has led to our modern learning system.

Any scholar, imbued with science, often at odds with himself or herself, and the hows, and above all the whys of their science, have to return to Ibn Hazm. He has cleared massive ground needless, and very much impossible for someone to do now; just read and somehow, follow.

And, Ibn Hazm, en par with most Muslim scholars of the time, knowledgeable and pious, usually ends his work with the following:

"May God make us amongst those he allows to do good, and to practice it, and those who see the right path as none of us is without weakness; whomsoever sees his weakness will forget those of others. May God make us die in the faith of Muhammad. Amen, Oh Master of the Universes." Ibn Hazm

References:

1 M. Asin Palacios in Al-Andalus; 1939; IV; p. 278.
2 Trsltd by N. Tomiche under the title: Epitre Morale, Collection UNESCO, Beyrouth, 1961, p.21.
3 Asin Palacios: Abenhazam de Cordoba, 5 Vols, Madrid.1927.
4 In Dictionary of the Middle Ages; Vol 6. Edited by J.R. Strayer; Charles Scribner's Sons, New York; 1980, at pp 117-8.
5 Barron Carra de Veaux: Les Penseurs de l'Islam. Vol 3. Paris, Geuthner, 1922. at p. 333.
6 Ibid.
7 R.Arnaldez: Grammaire et Theologie chez Ibn Hazm de Cordoue; Doctoral Thesis, Paris; Librairie Philosophique J.Vrin; 1956; at p. 105.

by: FSTC Limited, Thu 11 September, 2003