Divine Attributes and the Problem of Unity in Averroes

Abstract

The article approaches the discussion about Divine Unity and the existence of Attributes, both in Islamic medieval philosophy and theology. Based on the analysis of Averroes works, the article shows how the Islamic dogma affirms the unity of God. However, at the same time, it establishes the existence of real attributes, pointing directly to dialectic concepts like unity and multiplicity, identity and difference, or sameness and otherness. Likewise, the text explains the way in which Averroes legitimized the use of philosophical reason as an optimal and recommended way to approach religious truths. In that way, Averroes advanced in a particular theological-philosophical doctrine, different from the Asharite that was being imposed at the time with the official support to Al Ghazali's thought; while defended the value of the peripatetic perspective as a way to enrich the intellectual debate in Islam.