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Which medieval European scholars were influenced by Avicenna’s philosophy?
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Avicenna
The title page of the 1556 edition of Avicenna's The Canon of Medicine (Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb). This edition (sometimes called the 1556 Basel edition) was translated by medieval scholar Gerard of Cremona.
Avicenna’s philosophical and scientific works had a profound impact on medieval European thought, particularly within the tradition of Scholasticism. His writings, which synthesized Aristotelian philosophy with Neoplatonic elements, were translated into Latin and became essential reading for Christian scholars.213
Key medieval scholars influenced by Avicenna include:
- Albertus Magnus: An encyclopedic scholar who was well-acquainted with Avicenna’s works. He incorporated Avicenna’s philosophy into his own efforts to make Aristotelian thought accessible to the Latin West.43
- Thomas Aquinas: A pupil of Albertus Magnus who engaged deeply with Avicenna’s metaphysical concepts, including his analysis of essence, existence, and the proof for the existence of God.21
Beyond philosophy, Avicenna’s medical expertise was highly regarded in Europe. His work, The Canon of Medicine, served as an authoritative textbook in European medical schools until the 17th century. Furthermore, his empirical approach to medicine influenced 13th-century physicians such as Arnold of Villanova, Bernard de Gordon, and Nicholas of Poland.215