AVERROÈ FRA FIQH E FILOSOFIA
LA RAGIONE ARABA NEL LIMBO
Wael Farouq
Why did Averroes’ influence on Arabo-Islamic culture stop after his death until the 19th century? Why have attempts to recall him, between the early 20th century and today, failed to counteract the fundamentalists’ ascendancy on Arabo-Islamic societies? This paper tries to find an answer to these questions, first in Averroes’ biography and his work as a judge, then in his Decisive Treatise, his most circulated book and greatest achievement. I was able to highlight several instances of the separation between reason and reality, the main factor behind the failure of both Averroes’ experience in the Arabo-Islamic cultural context of the past and of the attempts to revive his influence in modern times. This separation is still affecting the Arabo-Islamic culture today. Taking it into account can open new perspectives on the comparison/dialogue between Western and Arabo-Islamic philosophies