averroism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Several of its core propositions, such as the unity of the intellect and the eternity of the world, were condemned as heretical by the Catholic Church in the 13th century, though some scholars adhered to its methods while trying to avoid its controversial conclusions.

It is a (somewhat simplified) label for the idea that a proposition could be true in philosophy (e.g., through Aristotle/Averroes) and false in theology, or vice versa. This was a major point of contention for its critics.

It was a crucial channel for Aristotle's ideas into Western Europe, stimulated major theological responses (like those of Aquinas), and its spirit of rational inquiry can be seen as a precursor to later secular philosophy and the scientific revolution.

Yes, primarily by historians of philosophy, medievalists, and scholars of Islamic-Jewish-Christian intellectual exchange. It is seen as a key moment in the history of rationalism and the conflict between faith and reason.

The philosophical doctrines of the 12th-century Islamic philosopher Averroes (Ibn Rushd), particularly his interpretations of Aristotle which emphasized the independence of philosophy from theology and the concept of a single, universal intellect shared by all humanity.

Averroism is usually formal, academic, historical in register.

Averroism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌævəˈrəʊɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌævəˈroʊɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.