Chance and Determinism in Avicenna and Averroes

This book addresses the issue of determinism in Avicenna and Averroes through an analysis of their views on chance, matter and divine providence. It sets the debate against the philosophical/historical background of Aristotelianism, Neoplatonism and Islamic theology.

INTRODUCTION
Determinism: the problem and some historical aspects
The problem of determinism has engaged the attention of thinkers
and philosophers since times immemorial and is rightly considered
as one of philosophy’s perennial issues, regarding which the most
disparate views have been held without a definite conclusion. Whilst
this can render the task of anyone dealing with determinism frustrating
it also provides a wide range of alternatives as to a possible
solution.
While some philosophers have explicitly tackled the issue of determinism
or else have strong determinist or indeterminist proclivities,
others do not display in their works a special interest in or explicit
awareness of the issue.
During the period of classical Islam, when philosophy was heavily
influenced by developments in Islamic theology which had included
the problem of God’s omnipotence and predestination, it was natural
for Muslim philosophers to address the issue of determinism. In
this sense it is important to see how Muslim philosophers, trained
in the Aristotelian tradition and living and working in an Islamic
milieu, stood in connection with determinism.
Medieval philosophy, be it Christian, Jewish or Islamic, had strong
religious and theological underpinnings. In this sense in studying
views of medieval philosophers it is appropriate not to lose sight of
the intellectual and religious context that formed the background of
their philosophical activity.

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