Ibn Sina · Theology

Essence and Existence

Ibn Sina’s deceptively simple distinction - between <em>what</em> a thing is and <em>that</em> it is - which reshaped a thousand years of metaphysics.

What you'll be able to recall

You learned that Ibn Sina distinguishes essence from existence. Explain the distinction, why he says existence is &lsquo;accidental&rsquo; to essence, and what follows for God, in your own words.

Leads to Martin Heidegger.

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