And the Hi, I'm Peter Adamson, and you're listening to the History of Philosophy podcast brought to you with the support of the LMU in Munich online at

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Today's episode, A Matter of Taste,

Ibn Arabi and Mysticism.

Never let it be said that an obsession with Aristotle prevents you from getting out and meeting people.

Take a Veruise. There are not one but two famous stories about his encounters with contemporaries.

We've already heard the one about his audience with the

almaud Amir.

He's the other one.

Averuiz has heard tell of a young man who received revelatory insight

while engaged in a spiritual retreat. He is eager to meet the youth and

upon seeing him gives him a warm embrace. Yes, says Averways. And the youth replies, yes.

So far the discussion is going very positively, so Iveruis smiles.

But the youth now says, no.

Iveruis is now troubled, and asked the young man about his revelatory experience.

Has it taught him the same things that one can learn through reason?

Yes and no, replies the youth,

apparently figuring that this approach has worked well in the conversation so far.

But then he adds, between the yes and the no,

spirits fly from their matter and heads from their bodies.

Averuiz is impressed.

Like Ibn Tufel's fictional character, High Ibn Yachthan, the young man has achieved wisdom without having to study Aristotle or any other books.

...