The Incoherence of the Incoherence
Ibn Rushd's defense of Aristotelian philosophy against al-Ghazali's critique.
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Ibn Rushd, the Andalusian philosopher and polymath, wrote The Incoherence of the Incoherence as a defense of Aristotelian philosophy within Islamic thought. Structured as a dialogue, the work directly counters the arguments made by al-Ghazali in his earlier treatise The Incoherence of the Philosophers, which had attacked Neoplatonic ideas. This book is Ibn Rushd’s most significant work, aiming to reconcile faith with philosophy.
The background to the text lies in al-Ghazali’s critique of Avicennism, directed at philosophers like Ibn Sina and al-Farabi. Al-Ghazali, an imam aligned with the Ash'ari school, argued that while fields like physics, logic, astronomy, and mathematics were acceptable, metaphysics was not—because philosophers failed to apply the same logical tools there. His critique was preceded by a summary of Neoplatonism called Aims of the Philosophers.
In his response, Ibn Rushd quotes al-Ghazali’s passages and then refutes them, defending the philosophers’ doctrines. He asserts that both Aristotle’s ideas and the Quran are eternal truths, seeking harmony between the two. In Europe, the work was well received by Christian and Jewish scholars, leading to the school of Averroism.
Quick Facts
- Field
- Philosophy, theology
- Nationality
- Andalusian Muslim
Facts from the source article.
Background
The Incoherence of the Incoherence was written as a response to al-Ghazali's The Incoherence of the Philosophers, in which the Sufi-sympathetic imam of the Ash'ari school argued against Avicennism, denouncing philosophers such as Ibn Sina and al-Farabi. Al-Ghazali's text was dramatically successful and marked a milestone in the ascendance of the Ash'ari within philosophy and theological discourse. Al-Ghazali stated that one must be well versed in the ideas of the philosophers before refuting them, and that his objection was with metaphysics, not other branches of philosophy such as physics, logic, astronomy, or mathematics.
Ibn Rushd's response defends the doctrines of the philosophers and criticizes al-Ghazali's own arguments. It is written as a sort of dialogue: Ibn Rushd quotes passages by al-Ghazali and then responds to them. Ibn Rushd attempted to create harmony between faith and philosophy, between Aristotelian ideas and Islam, claiming that Aristotle is also right and the words of the Quran are also the eternal truth. Originally written in Arabic, the book was subsequently translated into many other languages.
In Europe, Ibn Rushd's philosophical writings were generally well received by Christian and Jewish scholars and gave rise to the philosophical school of Averroism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Incoherence of the Incoherence actually about?
It is a philosophical work in which Ibn Rushd argues that rational inquiry and Islamic faith can coexist without contradiction. The text pushes back against the theological accusations that had been leveled at Neoplatonic and Aristotelian thinkers.
Why is The Incoherence of the Incoherence considered a landmark text?
It represents Ibn Rushd's most significant effort to harmonize rational philosophy with religious belief in the Islamic tradition. The treatise remains a cornerstone reference for anyone studying how medieval Muslim scholars navigated the tension between faith and Aristotelian logic.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: The Incoherence of the Incoherence (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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