THE WISE PHYSICIAN - AVICENNA
The documentary-drama “The Wise Physician: Avicenna” brings to light the life, works, and groundbreaking contributions of the great philosopher and physician Avicenna in philosophy and medicine. It aims to instill a renewed sense of civilizational awareness in today’s audiences by shedding light on the environment in which he was raised. This monumental figure, who has influenced both the East and the West for a thousand years, continues to provide solutions to contemporary issues through his profound philosophical and medical achievements.
The documentary delves into various aspects of his legacy, from existentialism — one of the most significant philosophical movements of the past century — to his insights into major epidemics, such as those brought to global attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Insights from 20 experts in the fields of philosophy and medicine enrich this series.
Avicenna’s The Canon of Medicine (Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb), a monumental three-thousand-page work, was translated into Latin and served as a textbook in European medical schools until the 18th century. In both the Islamic and Western worlds, numerous scholars have written commentaries and analyses of this masterpiece. During the 16th century alone, over 50 editions were published, making it one of the most printed books following the invention of the printing press.
The renowned philosopher and historian Etienne Gilson remarked that Avicenna’s monumental philosophical work, Al-Shifa (The Book of Healing), captivated the Western world when translated into Latin. The University of Louvain in Belgium published the Latin version of Al-Shifa in seven extensive volumes.
In summary, this seven-episode documentary portrays the life and legacy of a towering intellectual whose works have shaped the East and West for a millennium and significantly influenced the European Renaissance. The episodes are structured as follows:
“The Birth of a Genius”: This episode explores Avicenna’s upbringing, his family, and his early years.
“Physician Avicenna”: Focuses on his medical education and the first years of his medical practice.
“Years of Adventure”: Chronicles his life filled with knowledge, fear, sorrow, and joy, as well as his achievements in medicine and philosophy.
“Philosopher Avicenna”: Highlights his contributions to universal thought and their enduring influence.
“The Canon of Medicine”: Examines his monumental medical work in the context of classical and modern medicine, featuring re-enactments.
“His Impact”: Showcases his immense contributions to human thought and advancements in medical science over the last millennium.
“The Legend of Avicenna”: Explores the myths and legends surrounding this great figure in both the Eastern and Western worlds.