An Overview on Perception and Its Principles from Avicenna’s Point of View

Abstract

The main purpose this paper attempts to reach is to recognize principles of perception, its dimensions and types from Avicenna’s point of view. This study is a qualitative study conducted using descriptive-analytical methods. Resources are first reviewed and principles of perception along with its process are extracted from his perspective. Findings of this study revealed that in the philosophy of Avicenna, soul is of a prominent position and is the base for perception. For him, growth and perfection of soul breed various cognitive capabilities. In fact, vegetative, animal and human faculties have their roots in the soul so as discussion on the stages of soul is divided into three stages of vegetative, animal and human in Avicenna’s point of view. Cognitive capabilities of humans are to aid these faculties reach perfection. For instance, superficial cognitive capabilities are obtained in animal soul’s stage and higher levels of perception including receiving emanation from active intellect occurs in human soul’s stage.

Keywords: Avicenna; Base of perception; Types of perception