57. Ibn Kammūna: The New Wisdom
A Sourcebook in Global Philosophy - Mohammed Rustom
Bakinaz Abdalla [+]
Nile University
Description
Ibn Kammūna (d. 1284 CE), a Jewish philosopher active in Baghdad during the Mongol invasion, made significant contributions to medieval Arabic philosophy. His notable works consist of commentaries on Avicenna and Suhrawardī and several independent treatises on subjects that were widely discussed in his time. This entry offers a translation of the concluding chapter of his primary philosophical work in Arabic (al-Jadīd fī’l-ḥikma), The New Wisdom. In this chapter, Ibn Kammūna explores the nature of evil, grappling with the challenge of reconciling the widespread existence of evil in a world that is governed by an all-good and all-knowing God. Ibn Kammūna’s discussion of this subject, similar to many thinkers of his time, relies heavily on Avicenna’s conception of evil as privation. In the course of his discussion, he provides insights into the intricate details of God’s solicitude for human beings and all creatures.