Averroes (Ibn Rushd) Logic

Origin. Ibn Rushd (1126-1198). Andalusian philosopher. Aristotle commentator. Against Avicenna on some points. Foundation of Latin Averroism.

Models. Strict Aristotelian logic. Demonstration over dialectic. Against Avicennian innovations. Commentaries as method. Scientific knowledge.

Formalism.

Three types of commentary: Short (mukhtaṣar): epitome. Middle (talkhīṣ): paraphrase with analysis. Long (sharḥ): line-by-line commentary. Progressive depth.

Against Avicenna: Reject conditional syllogistic primacy. Categorical syllogism fundamental. Propositional logic derived. Aristotelian purity.

Demonstration (burhān): Propter quid (burhān limā): from cause to effect. Quia (burhān anna): from effect to cause. Propter quid superior. Scientific knowledge.

Scientific knowledge: Must be demonstrated. From necessary premises. Through middle term as cause. Certain, not probable.

Modal syllogistic: Follow Aristotle closely. Necessity and possibility. Against Avicenna's modifications. Two-dimensional reading.

Physics and demonstration: Natural science demonstrative. Physical premises necessary. Not merely dialectical. Against skepticism.

Method: Commentary extracts Aristotle's logic. Compare with previous commentators. Critical analysis. Original contributions via exposition.

Symbols.

Term	Arabic	Meaning
sharḥ	شرح	commentary
burhān limā	برهان لم	demonstration why
burhān anna	برهان أن	demonstration that
qiyās	قياس	syllogism

Metatheory. Strict Aristotelianism. Commentary method. Demonstration types. Scientific knowledge.

Applies to. Islamic philosophy. Medieval logic. Aristotelian tradition. History of science.

Limitations. Historical period. Aristotelian constraint. Latin translations. Reception history.