Averroes

Averroes responds to the philosopher Al-Ghazali’s claim that certain philosophical theses are ________.

heretical

Al-Ghazali argues that philosophers make unacceptable claims about ________.

religion

One disputed thesis is that God has knowledge of ________.

particulars

“Particulars” refers to individual, changing ________.

things

Averroes defends philosophy against the claim that God cannot know ________.

particulars

Al-Ghazali also criticizes the philosophical claim that the world is ________.

eternal

The eternity of the world means it has no temporal ________.

beginning

A third disputed thesis is the idea that humans are not bodily after ________.

death

This relates to whether humans have ________ resurrection.

corporeal

Al-Ghazali argues philosophers contradict ________ teachings.

religious

Averroes responds to the problem of conflict between ________ and reason.

scripture

Averroes argues that truth cannot contradict ________.

truth

For Averroes, if reason proves something, scripture must be ________.

interpreted

Scriptural interpretation may require moving away from ________ meaning.

literal

A non-literal interpretation is called ________ interpretation.

allegorical

An example of allegorical interpretation is interpreting God’s “hands” as ________.

power

Averroes argues that scripture uses metaphor to communicate to different levels of ________.

understanding

If scripture appears to conflict with reason, the apparent conflict is due to ________.

interpretation

True philosophy and true religion cannot ultimately ________.

conflict

Averroes believes reason leads to ________ truth.

demonstrative

Demonstrative reasoning provides the highest level of ________.

certainty

Averroes distinguishes between three types of ________.

syllogisms

The three types of reasoning are demonstrative, dialectical, and ________.

rhetorical

Demonstrative reasoning is based on strict logical ________.

proof

Dialectical reasoning relies on commonly accepted ________.

premises

Rhetorical reasoning appeals to ________ and persuasion.

audience

The three types of reasoning correspond to three classes of ________.

people

The highest class of people can understand ________ reasoning.

demonstrative

Philosophers belong to the group capable of demonstrative ________.

reasoning

The general public typically relies on ________ reasoning.

rhetorical

Some scholars use ________ reasoning based on debate.

dialectical

Not all people are capable of demonstrative ________.

proof

Averroes believes only trained philosophers can interpret ________ meanings.

hidden

Those incapable of demonstrative reasoning should not reinterpret ________.

scripture

Reinterpreting scripture without ability leads to misunderstanding of ________.

religion

Misinterpretation by unqualified people can cause ________.

confusion

It can also lead to religious ________.

conflict

Averroes warns that improper interpretation leads to ________ in society.

sectarianism

Sectarianism means division within a ________ community.

religious

Such division can escalate into ________.

war

Averroes believes religious texts are meant to guide different levels of ________.

understanding

Philosophers should reconcile scripture with ________.

reason

The goal is harmony between philosophy and ________.

religion

Averroes believes truth is ultimately ________.

unified

Scripture has both apparent and deeper ________.

meaning

The deeper meaning must align with ________ demonstration.

rational

Philosophy is necessary for those capable of ________ reasoning.

demonstrative

Religion provides guidance for those using rhetorical ________.

reasoning

Dialectical reasoning is used in ________ theological debate.

religious

Averroes argues that philosophy is not a threat to ________.

faith

Instead, philosophy helps clarify ________ teachings.

religious

Misinterpretation occurs when people confuse literal and ________ meaning.

symbolic

Literal readings are appropriate for those without philosophical ________.

training

Averroes stresses intellectual ________ among believers.

hierarchy

Each group should interpret texts according to their level of ________.

ability

Truth must remain consistent across both reason and ________.

revelation

Averroes’ key principle is that truth cannot contradict ________.

truth