الوصف
Abstract: The Aphorisms credited to the eminent figure Hippocrates regarded as the progenitor of Greek medical thought constitute a comprehensive compilation of principles and concise observations embodying the essence of medical wisdom. Encompassing diverse subjects, from diagnostic methodologies to therapeutic modalities, it espouses foundational principles such as the primacy of experiential knowledge, the moderating influence of environmental factors on the healing process, and the inherent self-renewing capacities intrinsic to the human body. This reservoir of knowledge has profoundly influenced the trajectory of medical theory and practice across epochs, as evidenced by the extensive corpus of literature it has inspired, spanning various temporal and cultural contexts.
Of particular significance are the commentaries produced within the Arabic tradition, wherein esteemed figures such as Ḥunayn b. Ishāq, ʿAli b. Ridwān, and Ibn al-Nafīs assumed custody of this seminal text, augmenting its significance through synthesis with Greek commentaries, notably those of Galen. However, despite its enduring importance, certain commentaries, such as that authored by the Andalusian luminary Abu Bakr Ibn Bājja, have languished in obscurity.
Recognizing the lamentable deficiencies present in extant editions, which have perpetuated textual inaccuracies, our endeavor reedits the text by examination of the extant manuscript in conjunction with prior editions, culminating in the construction of a meticulously curated scholarly text. Our overarching objective is to furnish a scholarly apparatus conducive to a precise evaluation of Ibn Bājja’s contributions to medical historiography, thereby elucidating his enduring legacy among esteemed medical luminaries. We hold that our success is contingent upon providing a lucid and accessible text, thus dispelling misconceptions surrounding Ibn Bājja’s purportedly difficult and disjointed style.
Keywords: Aphorisms of Hippocrates, medical experience, logic, premises, Arabic tradition in Medicine, Galen’s Commentary on the Hippocratic Aphorisms, Ibn Bājja, medical historiography.
