|||

Avicenna (c. 980 — 1037 CE)

Avicenna (Ibn Sina) was an influential Persian polymath, physician, and philosopher, who is regarded as one of the most significant figures in the history of science and medicine. He is known for his contributions to the fields of philosophy, medicine, mathematics, and his role in the development of the scientific method.

Avicenna was born in 980 CE near what is now present-day Bukhara, Uzbekistan. He was the son of a local governor and received an excellent education, mastering Greek and Arabic sciences. By age 10 he is noted to have memorized the Quran. He quickly became an esteemed scholar, and at the age of 16, Avicenna was a respected physician and scientist.

Avicenna’s most significant work was his magnum opus, The Canon of Medicine, which was a comprehensive medical encyclopedia, covering topics such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology. It was used in the Islamic world and Europe for over 600 years and is considered to be one of the most important historic texts on medicine and health. In addition to this book, Avicenna wrote numerous other works, such as The Book of Healing, The Book of the Direction of the Emanation of the Soul, and The Book of Animals. These works were incredibly influential in the fields of philosophy and science, and laid the foundations for many later scientific developments.

Avicenna was an influential philosopher, who wrote extensively on a variety of topics, such as metaphysics, alchemy, astrology, music, and logic. One of his famous works was the Kitab al-Shifa (The Book of Healing), which was an encyclopedia of philosophy. In this book, he discussed topics such as the nature of existence, causality, and the relationship between religion and philosophy. He contributed to the development of the scientific method by introducing the ancient Aristotelian concept of induction.

Avicenna is remembered as one of the greatest mathematicians of his time. He wrote several books on mathematics, such as The Book of Geometry and The Book of Arithmetic, which were used in the Islamic world. He made significant contributions to the development of algebra, optics, and astronomy.

Avicenna’s work had a profound influence on the development of science and medicine in the medieval world, and his legacy continues to be felt to this day. He is considered to be one of the most influential figures in the history of science and medicine, and his contributions to philosophy and mathematics have been praised. Avicenna died in 1037 CE, but his legacy continues to be felt in the world of science and medicine.

Artis Chemicae Principes, Basel, per Peter Perna, 1572 | |

Canon medicinae [Latin] (Lib. I-V) De viribus cordis, Padova, Johannes Herbort,1476

Canon medicinae [Latin] (Lib. I-V) De viribus cordis, Venezia, Baptista de Tortis, 1491-1495

Canon medicinae [Hebrew] (Lib I-V) (Tr: Joseph ben Joshua Lorki and Nathan ben Eliezer Hameati). Napoli, Azriel ben Joseph Ashkenazi Gunzenhauser, 9 November 1491-1492]

Up next Girolamo Cardano (1501-1576) Johannes Trithemius (1462–1516)
Latest posts Tauler Tertullianus (ca 155-ca 220) Paul Nagel (-1621) Thomas Vaughan (1622-1666) Jeorg Brenna Petrus Bonus (14th century) Bernardus Trevisanus (1406-1490) Johann von Teschen (1406-1464) Tobias Hess (1558-1614) Adam Haslmayr (1560-1630) Publications Roast Chestnuts and the Principle of Immunity Gerbrand Adriaensz Bredero Robert Fludd: An Short Note of His Life and Work Johann Jacob Scheuchzer (1672-1733) Trajano Boccalini (1656-1615) Johann Faulhaber (1580-1635) Jacob Schalling (1587-after 1615) Julius Sperber Stephan Michelspacher (ca 1571-1627) Authors and Writers Franck Alchemy and Related Subjects - a Catalog Ashmole Against Slavery Holbein at the Steelyard: Cannon Street (City of London) A Portrait of the Author Astrology, a Catalog Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Yahya ibn al-Sayigh (ca 787-ca 869) Coptic: The Language of the Gnostics and the Egyptian Christians Isaac de Beausobre (1659-1738)