Intellectual Being: The Dialectics of Hyle in Ibn Rushd (Averroes) and William Wordsworth

This thesis argues that Ibn Rushd’s (Averroës) (1126–1198) hyle functions dialectically in William Wordsworth (1770–1850)—as a dynamic, self-reflexive process that negates inherited forms of intellect and moves towards ontological transcendence. These writers project their hyle through poetics and politics, weaving intellect into verse and vision into action. When understood through Sartre’s existential framework, this dialectic generates a shift from static being to being-for- itself, allowing both thinkers to articulate a vision of intellect that is transformative, existential and culturally grounded. The being-for-itself must actively revaluate and create new values. Both Wordsworth’s poetry and Ibn Rushd’s philosophy implement unity of intellect to unfold their existential concern about their intellectual role. Both thinkers, in their own particular styles, emphasized hyle—its formation, faculties of imagination and memory, and its unified trajectory with the active intellect—as the means to expand the boundaries of what is considered rational, or legitimate, knowledge. They developed an adventure that extended from the dialectics of the potential or Sartrean puissance to the certainty of the actual or Sartrean acte to offer a new perspective on the relationship between hyle and ethics. Both promulgated that their doctrines of poetics and politics performed rigorously to push the limits of human understanding. Hyle in their works acts as a catalyst for transformation in being. It supports the emergence of new ways of thinking across various domains. The first chapter introduces the concept of hyle and being in the works of Wordsworth and Ibn Rushd and the theoretical lenses through which they are examined. Chapter 2 examines how these two intellectuals transition from their positions on subjectivity and popular consciousness to address unity of intellect. Chapter 3 presents the practical means of their doctrine through their poetic and political discourse. Chapter 4 traces the transcultural transmission of the concept of unity of intellect from its evolution in the philosophy of Ibn Rushd to its resonance in the works of Wordsworth. Chapter 5 sheds light on the influence of Wordsworth’s and Ibn Rushd’s idealism. A brief conclusion summarizes my findings and indicates the direction for future research.<p></p>

Author dc:creator

• Naifa Almutairi Almutairi (21042170)

• William Wordsworth, Hyle, Averroes

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Identifier

10779/exe.32287500.v1

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oai:figshare.com:article/32287500