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.
More from Avicenna
All quotes →Is it the fault of wine if a fool drinks it and goes stumbling into darkness?
AvicennaRead
As to the mental essence, we find it in infants devoid of every mental form.
AvicennaRead
An ignorant doctor is the aide-de-camp of death.
AvicennaRead
It is in the nature of water ... to become transformed into earth through a predominating earthy virtue; ... it is in the nature of earth to become transformed into water through a predominating aqueous virtue.
AvicennaRead
Similar quotes
No advocate of reason can claim the right to force his ideas on others. No advocate of the free mind can claim the right to force the minds of others. No rational society, no co-operation, no agreement, no understanding, no discussion are possible among men who propose to substitute guns for rational persuasion.
Ayn RandRead
Listen; this world is the lunatic's sphere , _x000D_ Don't always agree it's real, _x000D_ Even with my feet upon it And the postman knowing my door _x000D_ My address is somewhere else.
HafezRead
I was not, I was, I am not, I care not. (Non fui, fui, non sum, non curo)
EpicurusRead
but what should we do when the highborn and wealthy take to crime? Indeed, if a poor man will spend a year in prison for stealing out of hunger, how high would the gallows need to be to hang the rich man who breaks the law out of greed?
Terry PratchettRead
I wrote the song "Show Me" as a prayer to God asking simple, honest questions about life and death and why there is so much suffering in the world. As I grew with the song I realized I shouldn't limit these questions solely to God; I should ask those questions of others and of myself.
John LegendRead
It was when I realised I had a new nationality: I was in exile. I am an adulterous resident: when I am in one city, I am dreaming of the other. I am an exile; citizen of the country of longing.
Suketu MehtaRead