Revisiting Ibn Rushd’s Kitāb al-Kulliyyāt fī al-Ṭibb: Philosophical Foundations and Contemporary Relevance for Unani Medicine
Keywords:
Ibn Rushd, Kitāb al-Kulliyyāt fī al-Ṭibb, Unani Medicine, Humoral theory, Mizāj (temperament), Traditional PhilosophyAbstract
This article revisits Ibn Rushd’s seminal medical treatise, Kitāb al-Kulliyyāt fī al-Ṭibb, exploring its philosophical foundations, humoral theory, and enduring relevance to contemporary Unani medicine. Written in 12th-century Andalusia, the Kulliyyāt articulates medicine as an applied science rooted in Aristotelian epistemology, balancing theoretical knowledge with practical healing. Ibn Rushd’s seven-part classification of medical knowledge—spanning anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnostics, pharmacology, preventive care, and therapeutics—reflects a systematic and holistic approach that prefigures modern integrative medicine. Central to his framework is the doctrine of humors and mizāj (temperament), which he presents as dynamic, individualized determinants of health. The article examines how Ibn Rushd’s emphasis on equilibrium, lifestyle factors, and treatment by contraries aligns with contemporary models of personalized and preventive care. It also highlights his methodological synthesis of empirical observation and rational analysis, anticipating principles of evidence-based medicine and clinical reasoning under uncertainty. By situating al-Kulliyyāt within both its historical context and modern discourse, the study underscores Ibn Rushd’s role in shaping a rational, ethical, and patient-centered medical tradition. His insights offer valuable perspectives for Unani practitioners and medical educators seeking to integrate classical wisdom with modern clinical standards.
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