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The Figures of the Self in Avicenna
Forget Descartes for a moment and step into the brilliant mind of Avicenna, whose thought experiments redefined self-awareness centuries ahead of his time. This is the perfect intellectual pit stop for anyone curious about how ancient philosophy continues to shape our modern sense of identity.
L'Institut du Monde Arabe (Paris 5th)
About
The Institut du Monde Arabe hosts a lecture exploring Avicenna’s theories on the self on Tuesday, December 1, 2026. Through his famous flying man thought experiment, this session delves into the intersection of biology, metaphysics, and modern philosophy. Led by medievalist Jean-Baptiste Brenet and featuring philosopher Souad Ayada, the discussion offers a scholarly look at a key figure in intellectual history. The event takes place in the library and is free to attend, though advance booking is required. The venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users, ensuring a comfortable experience for all attendees.
With the famous thought experiment of the flying man, Avicenna did not only offer posterity a prefiguration of the Cartesian cogito, he also outlined a theory of the subject which, although anchored in biology and psychology and tying together elements from metaphysics, cosmology, religious revelation, and politics, points toward our philosophical modernity.
With: Souad Ayada, associate professor of philosophy, doctor, and general inspector of national education. President of the Higher Council for Programs from 2017 to 2022, she worked to introduce Avicenna into the list of authors in the philosophy curriculum for final-year high school classes. She prefigured and directed the French Institute of Islamology. She is notably the author of Avicenne (2002) and L’Islam des théophanies. Une religion à l’épreuve de l’art (2010).
The Falsafa meetings are coordinated and hosted by Jean-Baptiste Brenet, medievalist, professor of Arabic philosophy at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, associate professor of philosophy, and doctor from the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (section of religious sciences).
These lectures are recorded and published as podcasts, accessible on streaming platforms and on the IMA website.
Our take on this event
On Tuesday, December 1, 2026, from 19:00 to 20:00, the Institut du Monde Arabe presents a talk titled Les figures du moi chez Avicenne. This session focuses on the work of the medieval philosopher, specifically his flying man thought experiment, which serves as a precursor to modern concepts of the self and consciousness. The discussion highlights how Avicenna’s work bridges the gap between ancient cosmology and contemporary philosophical inquiries.
The conversation is moderated by Jean-Baptiste Brenet, a professor of Arabic philosophy at Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne. He is joined by Souad Ayada, a distinguished philosopher who has played a vital role in integrating Avicenna’s texts into secondary education curricula. As part of the ongoing Falsafa series, this conference will be recorded for future availability as a podcast.
The lecture will be held in the library on level 1. Participation is free, but attendees must book their spots in advance. The institute is equipped to provide full access to wheelchair users throughout its facilities.
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