Author Description

The Improvement of Human Reason, Exhibited in the Life of Hai Ebn Yokdhan is a philosophical novel written by Ibn Tufail, an Andalusian philosopher, in the 12th century. The work presents a thought-provoking narrative about a young boy, Hai Ebn Yokdhan, who is raised in isolation on a desert island. Through observation and reason, Hai develops an understanding of the natural world, ultimately discovering profound truths about existence, the soul, and the divine. The novel is a metaphor for the development of human reason and intellect, showing how an individual can reach knowledge of God and the universe through rational thought and experience, without the aid of religious doctrine. The text explores themes of reason, spirituality, and the relationship between the human soul and the divine. Simon Ockley’s 1708 translation from the Arabic brings this fascinating work to the Western audience, bridging Eastern philosophical thought with Western intellectual traditions.