Theory and History of Ontology (www.ontology.co)by Raul Corazzon | e-mail: rc@ontology.co

translations of the Philosophical Works by Ibn Sina (Avicenna)

The Arabic Rediscovery of Aristotle's Metaphysics

Contents of this Section

This part of the section History of Ontology includes the following pages:

Pseudo-Aristotle in the Middle Ages: the Theology of Aristotle (under construction)

Al-Kindi's Metaphysics: First Philosophy as the Study of God (under construction)

Al-Farabi on the Scopes of the Aristotelian Metaphysics (under construction)

Ibn Sina (Avicenna) on the Subject and the Object of Metaphysics

Translations of the Philosophical Works of Avicenna (Current page)

Selected bibliography on Avicenna's Logic and Metaphysics:

Avicenna A - G

Avicenna H - Z

Averroes (Ibn Rushd) on the Divine as the Subject of Metaphysics (under construction)

Index of the Pages on Medieval Philosophy

 

Bibliographical Resources

For a list of Avicenna's philosophical works see:

  • Amos Bertolacci. The Reception of Aristotle's Metaphysics in Avicenna's Kitab al-Sifa'. A Milestone of Western Metaphysical Thought, Leiden: Brill 2006, Appendix C: Overview of the Main Works by Avicenna on Metaphysics in Chronological Order, pp. 581-591.
  • Dimitri Gutas. Avicenna and the Aristotelian Tradition, Second Edition, Brill: Leiden, 2014, Appendix: An Inventory of Avicenna'a Authentic Works, pp. 387-558.

I give a list of the translations in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish, in chronological order.

English translations

  1. Avicenna. 1951. Avicenna on Theology. Westport: Hyperion Press.

    Translated by Arthur J. Arberry.

  2. ———. 1952. Avicenna's Psychology. London: Oxford University Press.

    An English translation of Kitab al-Najat, Book II, Chapter VI with historico-philosophical notes and textual improvements on the Cairo edition by Fazlur Rahman.

    Reprinted: Westport, Hyperion Press, 1981.

  3. ———. 1967. "Avicenna on the Divisions of the Rational Sciences." In Medieval Political Philosophy: A Sourcebook, edited by Lerner, Ralph, Mahdi, Muhsin and Fortin, Ernest L., 95-97. New York: Free Press of Glencoe.

    Partial translation.

    Reprinted: Ithaca Cornell University Press, 1972.

  4. ———. 1967. "The Healing, Metaphysics. First Treatise, Chapter 6. Sixth Treatise, Chapter 1, Chapter 2." In Philosophy in the Middle Ages. The Christian, Islamic and Jewish Tradition, edited by Hyman, Arthur and Walsh, James, 240-254. New York: Harper & Row.

  5. ———. 1969. "On the Soul." Philosophical Forum no. 1:555-562.

    "Translation by L E. Goodman of the opening pages of the psychological portion of Avicenna's Shifa. Avicenna argues for the substantiality of the soul on the grounds that the soul is in no way dependent on or existent in another thing. He defends this assertion with a thought experiment which provides a historical antecedent to the cogito of Descartes: imagining a spontaneously created soul to exist without senses in space. The conceivability of such a state, he argues, demonstrates the distinctness of the notion of soul from all others and the independence of the soul from all other entities on which its existence might be thought to depend."

  6. ———. 1971. Avicenna's Treatise on Logic. (a Concise Philosophical Encyclopaedia) and Autobiography. The Hague: Nijhoff.

    Part One of Danesh-name Alai.

    Edited and translated from the original Persian by Farhaang Zabeeh.

  7. ———. 1973. The Metaphysica of Avicenna (Ibn Sina). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

    A critical translation-commentary and analysis of the fundamental arguments in Avicenn's Metaphysica in the Danish Nam-i al'i (The Book of scientific knowledge).

    Reprinted Binghamton, Global Publications, Binghamton University 2001.

  8. ———. 1973. The Propositional Logic of Avicenna. A Translation from Al-Shifa': Al Qiyas. Dordrecht: Reidel Publishing Company.

    Translated by Nabil Shehaby with introduction (pp. 1-28), commentary (pp. 213-281) and glossary.

  9. ———. 1974. Avicenna's Commentary on the Poetics of Aristotle. Leiden: Brill.

    A critical study with an annotated translation of the text by Ismail M. Dahiyat.

    Translation of al-Shi'r, which forms the 9th part of al-Mantiq, itself the 1st section of the author's al-Shifa.

  10. ———. 1974. The Life of Ibn Sina. Albany: State University of New York Press.

    A critical edition and annotated translation, by William E. Gohlman.

    Arabic text and English translation of the author's autobiography, Sirat al-Shaykh al-Ra'is, which was completed by his disciple al-Juzajani.

  11. ———. 1980. Avicenna and the Visionary Recital. Irving: Spring Publications.

    English translation by Willard R. Task.

    Part Two of the original edition, a translation of the Persian commentary on the "Recital of Hayy Ibn Yaqzan" has not been included.

  12. ———. 1984. Remarks and Admonitions. Part One: Logic. Toronto: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies.

    Translated from the original Arabic with an introduction and notes by Shams Constantine Inati.

  13. ———. 1996. Ibn Sina and Mysticism. Remarks and Admonitions. Part Iv. London: Kegan Paul International.

    An analysis and English translation of the fourth part (Sufism) of Avicenna's Remarks and admonitions.

  14. ———. 1999. "Ibn Sina." In An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia. Vol. I Vol. 1: From Zoroaster to 'Omar Khayyam., edited by Nasr, Seyyed Hossein and Aminrazavi, Mehdi, 247-322. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Part III. Early Islamic Philosophy : The Peripatetics: 12. Ibn Sina.

    1. Metaphysics (from Danish-namah-yi 'ala'i) 247; 2. Creation Ex-Nihilo and Immediate Creation (from al-Isharat wa'l-tanbihat) 269; 3. On Theodicy and Providence I (from al-Shifa') 277; 4. On Theodicy and Providence II (from al-Isharat wa'l-tanbihati) 289; 5. On Time (from al-Shifa') 292; 6. The Stations of the Knowers (from al-Isharat wa'l-tanbihat) 303; 7. Living Son of the Awake (from Risalah Hayy ibn Yaqzan) 312; 8. Introduction (from Mantiq al-mashraqiyyin) 321-322.

  15. ———. 2005. The Metaphysics of the Healing. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press.

    A parallel English-Arabic text translated, introduced, and annotated by Michael E. Marmura.

  16. ———. 2010. The Physics of the Healing. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press.

    A parallel English-Arabic text translated, introduced, and annotated by Jon McGinnis (two volumes).

French translations

  1. ———. 1892. Le Livre Des Théorèmes Et Des Avertissements. Leyden: Brill.

    First part. Arabic text edited and translated by J. Forget.

    Reprinted by Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften an der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfrurt am Main, 1999.

  2. ———. 1933. Introduction À Avicenne: Son Épître Des Définitions. Paris: Desclée de Brouwer.

    Translated with notes by Amélie-Marie Goichon and with a preface by Miguel Asin Palacios.

  3. ———. 1951. "Les Notes D'Avicenne Sur La 'Théologie D'Aristote'." Revue Thomiste no. 51:346-406.

    Translation by Georges Vajda.

  4. ———. 1951. Livre Des Directives Et Remarques. Paris: Vrin.

    Translated with an introduction and notes by Amélie-Marie Goichon.

    Reprinted 1999.

  5. ———. 1954. Avicenne Et Le Récit Visionnaire. Paris: A. Maisonneuve.

    By Henry Corbin.

    Vol. I: Étude sur le cycle des récits avicenniens. - Vol. II: Le Récit de Hayy Ibn Yaqzan, texte arabe, version et commentaire en persan attribués a Juzjany, traduction française, notes et gloses.

    English translation by Willard R. Task: Avicenna and the visionary recital - Irving, Spring Publications, 1980.

    "Part Two of the original edition, a translation of the Persian commentary on the "Recital of Hayy Ibn Yaqzan" has not been included."

  6. ———. 1955. Le Livre De Science. Tome I. Logique, Métaphysique. Paris: Les Belles Lettres.

    Translated by Mohammad Achena and Henri Massé; second revised edition 1986.

    Reprinted by Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften an der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfrurt am Main, 1999.

  7. ———. 1958. Le Livre De Science. Tome Ii. Physique, Mathématiques. Paris: Les Belles Lettres.

    Translated by Mohammad Achena and Henri Massé; second revised edition 1986.

    Reprinted by Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften an der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfrurt am Main, 1999.

  8. ———. 1956. Psychologie D'ibn Sina (Avicenne) D'après Son œuvre as-Sifa. Praha: Éditions de l'Académie Tchécoslovaque des Sciences.

    Two volumes (vol. I: Arabic text; vol. II: French translation).

    Arabic text and French translation by Jan Bakos.

  9. ———. 1963. Le Livre Des Définitions. Caire: Publications de l'Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale du Caire.

    Edited and translated by Amélie-Marie Goichon.

  10. ———. 1977. "Les Divisions Des Sciences Intellectuelles D'Avicenne." Mélanges de l'Institut Dominicain d'Etudes Orientales (MIDEO) no. 13:323-335.

    Translated by Georges C. Anawati.

  11. ———. 1978. La Métaphysique Du Shifa'. Livres I À V. Paris: Librairire philosophique J. Vrin.

    Introduction, translation and notes by Georges C. Anawati.

  12. ———. 1985. La Métaphysique Du Shifa'. Livres Vi À X. Paris: Librairire philosophique J. Vrin.

    Introduction, translation and notes by Georges C. Anawati.

  13. ———. 1980. "Les Sciences Physiques Et Métaphysiques Selon La Risâlah Fî Aqsâm Al-'Ulûm D'Avicenne. Essai De Traduction Critique." Bulletin de Philosophie Médiévale no. 22:64-71.

    Partial translation by Jean R. Michot.

  14. ———. 1983. "De La Joie Et Du Bonheur. Essai De Traduction Critique De La Section Ii, 8 Des Isharat D'Avicenne." Bulletin de Philosophie Médiévale no. 26:49-60.

    Translation by Yahya R. Michot.

  15. ———. 1984. "Épitre Sur Les Parties Des Sciences Intellectuelles D'abu 'Ali Al-Husayn Ibn Sina." In Études Su Avicenne, edited by Jolivet, Jean and Rashed, Roshdi, 143-151. Paris: Les Belles Lettres.

    Translation by Rabia Mimoune.

  16. ———. 1985. "Prophétie Et Divination Selon Avicenne. Présentation, Essai De Traduction Critique Et Index De L' Épitre De L'âme De La Sphère." Revue Philosophique de Louvain no. 83:507-535.

    Translation by Yahya R. Michot.

  17. ———. 1988. "L'eschatologie Dans Le "Livre De La Guidance" D'Avicenne. Présentation, Traductiuon Et Index De La Denièere Secition Du Kitab Al-Hidâya." Bulletin de Philosophie Médiévale no. 30:138-152.

    Translation by Yahya R. Michot.

  18. ———. 1994. Livre De La Genèse Et Du Retour. Bruxelles.

    Translation by Yahya R. Michot.

  19. ———. 1997. "La Réponse D'Avicenne À Bahmanyar Et Al-Kirmani. Présentation, Traduction Critique Et Lexique Arabe-Français De La Mubahatha Iii." Le Muséon.Revue d'Études Orientales no. 110:143-221.

    Translation by Yahya R. Michot.

  20. ———. 2000. Lettre Au Vizir Abu Sa'd. Editio Princeps D'aprés Le Manuscrit De Bursa. Beyrouth: Éditions al-Bouraq.

    Translated with introduction and notes by Y. Michot.

Italian translations

  1. ———. 1969. Epistola Sulla Vita Futura. Padova: Antenore.

    Arabic text, Italian translation, introduction and notes by Francesca Lucchetta.

  2. ———. 1994. "Il Soggetto Della Scienza Prima. Ibn Sina, as-Sifa'. Al-Ilahiyyat, I.1-2." Giornale di Metafisica no. 16:69-82.

    Italian translation by Giuseppe Roccaro of Al-ilahiyyat, I.1-2.

  3. ———. 1995. "La Metafisica Del Libro Della Guida. Presentazione E Traduzione Della Terza Parte (Báb) Del Kitab-Al-Hidaya Di Avicenna." Le Muséon.Revue d'Études Orientales no. 108:367-424.

    Presentation and translation by Olga Lizzini.

  4. ———. 2002. Metafisica. La Scienza Delle Cose Divine (Al-Ilahiyyat) Dal Libro Della Guarigione (Kitab Al-Sifà). Milano: Bompiani.

    Translated from Arabic, with introduction and notes by Olga Lizzini; with Arabic and Latin text.

    Revised reprint 2006.

  5. ———. 2008. Libro Della Guarigione. Le Cose Divine. Torino: UTET.

    Italian translation by Amos Bertolacci of the Ilahiyyat of Avicenna's Kitab-al-Sifa', with introduction, corrections to the Arabic text and notes.

German translations

  1. ———. 1875. "Die Psychologie Des Ibn Sina." Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenlandische Gesellschaft no. 29:339-372.

    German translation by Samuel Landauer of the Compendium on the Soul.

  2. ———. 1907. Die Metaphysik Avicennas. Enthaltend Die Metaphysik, Theologie, Kosmologie and Ethik. Halle: Rudolf Haupt.

    Translated by Max Horten.

    Reprinted by Institut für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften an der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, 1999 and by Kessinger Publishing Co., Whitefish, MT.

  3. ———. 2006. Cuestiones Divinas (Ilahiyyat). Textos Escogidos. Madrid: Editorial Biblioteca Nueva.

    Texts selected, edited and translated by C. A. Segovia.

Spanish translations

  1. ———. 2006. Cuestiones Divinas (Ilahiyyat). Textos Escogidos. Madrid: Editorial Biblioteca Nueva.

    Texts selected, edited and translated by C. A. Segovia.

Modern Editions of Latin translations

  1. Avicenna. 1992. Avicenna Latinus. Liber Primus Naturalium. Tractatus Primus. De Causis Et Principiis Naturalium. Louvain: Peeters Publishers.

    Critical edition of the Latin medieval translation by Simone Van Riet.

    With a doctrinal introduction by Gérard Verbeke.

  2. ———. 2007. Avicenna Latinus. Liber Primus Naturalium. Tractatus Secundus. De Motu Et De Consimilibus. Louvain: Peeters Publishers.

    Critical edition of the Latin medieval translation by Simone Van Riet.

  3. ———. 1987. Avicenna Latinus. Liber Tertius Naturalium De Generatione Et Corruptione. Louvain: Peeters Publishers.

    Critical edition of the Latin medieval translation and lexicon by Simone Van Riet.

    With a doctrinal introduction by Gérard Verbeke.

  4. ———. 1989. Avicenna Latinus. Liber Quartus Naturalium De Actionibus Et Passionibus Qualitatum Primarum. Louvain: Peeters Publishers.

    Critical edition of the Latin medieval translation and lexicon by Simone Van Riet.

    With a doctrinal introduction by Gérard Verbeke.

  5. ———. 1972. Avicenna Latinus. Liber De Anima, Seu Sextus De Naturalibus I-Iii. Louvain: Peeters Publishers.

    Critical edition of the Latin medieval translation by Simone Van Riet.

    With an introduction on the psychological doctrine of Avicenna by Gérard Verbeke.

  6. ———. 1968. Avicenna Latinus. Liber De Anima, Seu Sextus De Naturalibus Iv-V. Louvain: Peeters Publishers.

    Critical edition of the Latin medieval translation by Simone Van Riet.

    With an introduction on the psychological doctrine of Avicenna by Gérard Verbeke.

  7. ———. 1977. Avicenna Latinus. Liber De Philosophia Prima Sive Scientia Divina. I-Iv. Louvain: Peeters Publishers.

    Critical edition of the Latin medieval translation by Simone Van Riet.

    With a doctrinal introduction by Gérard Verbeke.

  8. ———. 1980. Avicenna Latinus. Liber De Philosophia Prima Sive Scientia Divina. V-X. Louvain: Peeters Publishers.

    Critical edition of the Latin medieval translation by Simone Van Riet.

    With a doctrinal introduction by Gérard Verbeke.

  9. ———. 1983. Avicenna Latinus. Liber De Philosophia Prima Sive Scientia Divina.Tractatus I-X. Lexiques. Louvain: Peeters Publishers.

  10. ———. 1994. Avicenna Latinus. Codices. Louvain: Peeters Publishers.

    Codices descripsit M.-T. d'Alverny. Addenda collegerunt S. Van Riet et P. Jodogne.

  11. ———. 1926. Avicennae Metaphysices Compendium (Al-Nagat). Roma: Pontificium Instituttum Orientalium Studiorum.

    Translated in Latin with notes by Nematallah Carame.