Comparison of aristotle's and Ibn-i Sina's understandings of matter (hyle/photus)

This thesis compares Aristotle's and Ibn Sina's understanding of matter. Aristotle sees matter as a potential underlying change and together with form, it constitutes the natural world. When matter (hula) is shaped by form (eidos), it explains change and continuity in the physical world. Ibn Sina expands and integrates Aristotle's understanding of matter and form in the context of Islamic philosophy. According to him, matter has potentiality and the capacity to take form. In addition, Ibn Sina sees matter as part of the hierarchical order of existence. Ibn Sina distinguishes between primary matter and secondary matter; primary matter is ready to take form, while secondary matter has already taken form and is open to further transformation. Aristotle's understanding of matter, which uses empirical observation and logical categorization methods, is enriched by Ibn Sina with a metaphysical and theological framework. Ibn Sina emphasizes the role of the active intellect in processing sensory data and advocates transforming forms into intellectual knowledge by abstracting them from sensory input. This process shows that Ibn Sina synthesized Aristotelian and Neo-Platonic elements in the Islamic context. The thesis compares the understandings of matter of Aristotle and Ibn Sina, highlighting the similarities and differences in the philosophical approaches of both thinkers. Aristotle's dualistic yet interdependent model of the relationship between matter and form is addressed by Ibn Sina in a broader ontological and theological perspective. Consequently, this comparison aims to understand the evolution and influence of the concepts of matter in both Western and Islamic philosophy.