Dream theory in Aristotle and Avicenna

Dreams are a phenomenon that people have been interested in and interpreted in various ways throughout history. Philosophers such as Aristotle and Avicenna have also reflected on the nature and meaning of dreams. According to Aristotle, in the formation of dreams, sensations are first perceived in the common sense and then interpreted by phantasia. Fantasia functions as the reflection of emotions in daily life in dreams. According to him, dreams are accidental events and do not foretell the future. Avicenna, on the other hand, deals with dreams in more depth. According to him, dreams, especially the dreams of prophets, have qualities that foretell the future and may be of divine origin. According to him, the dreams of prophets are different from those of other people, and the metaphysical context also affects dreams. While the views of these two philosophers are similar on the formation of dreams, they differ on the nature and potential meanings of dreams. According to Aristotle, dreams are accidental events, while according to Avicenna, they are sometimes of divine origin and can foretell the future. Keywords: Islamic Philosophy, Soul, Dream Theory, Aristotle, Avicenna