Avicenna on Existence

Abstract

In Islamic philosophy, in particular, with Ibn Sina (Avicenna), there appears, In quite explicit form, a view of predication at odds with many current interpretations of Aristotle and views of predication. That view is that the simple affirmative categorical proposition 's is p' is to be read as 's is (existent) as a p', And that for its truth it is required both that s be existent and that s be p. This paper sketches out the development of that view. It then shows how this view resolves such vexing problems in interpreting Aristotle's logic and ontology as the existential import assumption and his view of first philosophy.