Therefore in medicine we ought to know the causes of sickness and health.
AvicennaRead
Now it is established in the sciences that no knowledge is acquired save through the study of its causes and beginnings, if it has had causes and beginnings; nor completed except by knowledge of its accidents and accompanying essentials.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding the origins and context of knowledge is essential for complete comprehension.
Avicenna's quote emphasizes the importance of comprehending not only the causes and beginnings of knowledge but also its accompanying details and accidents. This suggests that true understanding of any subject requires a thorough investigation into its foundational elements and the context in which it exists, highlighting a critical aspect of philosophical inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge.
Themes
KnowledgeUnderstandingCausesBeginningsPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on epistemology, you could introduce this quote to stress the importance of foundational studies in knowledge acquisition.
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