The Improvement of Human Reason: Exhibited in the Life of Hai Ebn Yokdhan — John Shaqi
The Improvement of Human Reason: Exhibited in the Life of Hai Ebn YokdhanIbn Tufayl, Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Malik
Islamic
The Improvement of Human Reason: Exhibited in the Life of Hai Ebn Yokdhan
Ibn Tufayl, Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Malik
Islamic philosophy -- Early works to 1800
the Sea, he thought that there was no other Land in the World but only
that Island.
Sec. 23. It happen'd that by Collision a Fire was kindled among a parcel of
Reeds or Canes; which fear'd him at first, as being a Sight which he was
altogether a Stranger to; so that he stood at a distance a good while,
strangely surpriz'd, at last he came nearer and nearer by degrees, still
observing the Brightness of its Light and marvellous Efficacy in
consuming every thing it touch'd, and changing it into its own Nature;
till at last, his Admiration of it, and that innate Boldness and
Fortitude, which God had implanted in his Nature prompted him on, that
he ventur'd to come near it, and stretch'd out his Hand to take some of
it. But when it burnt his Fingers and he found there was no dealing with
it that way, he endeavour'd to take a stick, which the Fire had not as
yet wholly seiz'd upon; so taking hold on that part which was untouch'd
he easily gain'd his purpose, and carried it Home to his Lodging (for he
had contriv'd for himself a convenient place) there he kept this Fire
and added Fuel to it, admir'd it wonderfully, and tended it night and
day; at night especially, because its Light and Heat supply'd the
absence of the Sun; so that he was extreamly delighted with it, and
reckon'd it the most excellent of all those things which he had about
him. And when he observ'd that it always mov'd upwards, he perswaded
himself that, it was one of those Celestial Substances which he saw
shining in the Firmament, and he was continually trying of its power, by
throwing things into it, which he perceiv'd it operated upon and
consum'd, sometimes sooner, sometimes slower, according as the Bodies
which he put into it were more or less combustible.
Sec. 25. Amongst other things which he put in to try its strength, he once
flung in some Fish which had been thrown a-shore by the Water, and as
soon as e're he smelt the Steam, it rais'd his Appetite, so that he had
a Mind to Taste of them; which he did, and found 'em very agreeable and
from that time he began to use himself to the Eating of Flesh, and
applied himself to Fishing and Hunting till he understood those sports
very well: upon this account he admir'd his Fire more and more, because
it help'd him to several sorts of Provision which he was altogether
unacquainted with before.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account