عقل عملي در آثار ابن سينا

Practical Reason in the Works of Avicenna

According to Muslim philosophers, what distinguishes human soul from that of animal are theoretical and practical reason. But there is more than one interpretation of theoretical and practical reason among these philosophers and sometimes even in the works of a single philosopher. The paper aims at clarifying the meaning of practical reason from the viewpoint of Avicenna (ibn-Sina). Referring to Avicennaʹs works four terms and expressions as to the practical reason can be identified. hi sonic of these expressions, the practical reason has only the function of conceiving general or particular practical propositions. In some others, it has, besides conceptual function, a practical one. Examinimg these four expressions. it becomes clear that none of ʹthem comes in accord with the two expressions prevalent amoug Muslim philosophers. The article ends with an attempt to bring back the four expressions to a single comprehensive one.