Understanding Morality and the Philosophy of Averroes
Understanding Universal Concepts
From Sensation to Abstraction
We grasp data through our senses, developing universal concepts by abstracting the essence of shapes. Cognition starts with sensations of objects and their qualities. This image is processed internally, notably by the imagination, forming a representation. We then engage our understanding, employing intellect to analyze this representation, revealing its intelligible nature. This “imprint” on the understanding expresses the universal concept.
Morality: A Practical Science
The Pursuit of Happiness
Morality studies human acts to achieve ultimate happiness, which, according to Thomistic moral philosophy, lies in God. We can consider humans individually or socially, leading to two types of morality.
Individual Morality
The Highest Good
The greatest good is God. Moral philosophy seeks to determine the proper good for different types of individuals. Goods can be infinite (God) or finite, including external bodily goods (wealth), internal bodily goods (health, beauty), external soul goods (honor, fame, power), and internal soul goods (will and understanding). True moral perfection resides solely in the supreme good, God. Perfect happiness is attainable only in the afterlife, but can be anticipated through a contemplative life.
Virtue
Humans achieve their ultimate aim through free, reasoned acts. Virtues are good habits, while vices are bad habits. Intellectual virtues include intelligence, science, and wisdom. Moral virtues comprise cardinal virtues (prudence, temperance, fortitude, justice) and theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity).
Social and Political Morality
Humans are social beings, needing society for development and perfection. Society is natural and spontaneous, necessary for a fulfilling life. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle, describes society’s structure: Family (parents, children, servants), Village (families), Municipality (villages), leading to the perfect society (city, state, region, nation).
Averroes: Works and Philosophy
Commentaries on Aristotle
- Younger Commentaries: Brief explanations.
- Adult Commentaries: Text excerpts with Averroes’ own additions.
- Compendiums: Summaries for beginners.
Key works include The Destruction of Destruction, The Decisive Treatise, and The Book of the Exposition of the Methods of Proof.
Philosophy and Religion
The Theory of Double Truth
Averroes proposed not two truths, but a single truth expressed in two ways (philosophy and revelation). The Decisive Treatise argues that philosophy is the reflective study of the universe, recommended by religion. Revelation invites rational consideration of the universe, integrating faith with rational knowledge. If revelation encourages speculation, which characterizes philosophy, then reasoning cannot contradict revelation. There is one truth, accessible through reason (philosophy) and symbolically (religion).
The Theory of the Eternity of the World
In his commentary on Aristotle’s Metaphysics, Averroes argues that God’s creative act involves matter and form, actualizing potential. Creation is a motion driven by God, the eternal, unmoved mover, the ultimate cause. Metaphysically, this ranges from pure matter (non-being) to pure act (God). Matter, as pure potentiality, is co-eternal with God.