Avicenna On Emanation, The Active Intellect, And Human Intellect

Abstract In the present chapter I assume that Avicenna’s genuine works all reflect a single consistent outlook concerning the issues discussed, although Avicenna sometimes does slip into inconsistency in details. Like Alfarabi, Avicenna envisions a translunar region comprising nine primary spheres: an outermost, diurnal sphere, the sphere of the fixed stars, and the seven spheres that contain the planets, the sun, and the moon. Each sphere is again accompanied by an incorporeal intelligence, which is its mover, and Avicenna again knits intelligences and spheres together through a series of emanations.