“It became clear to him that every [species], although apparently a multiplicity – if one considered all its separate organs, senses and movements – was really a unity if seen in terms of that spirit which emanated from [the heart] and spread from there to all other organs.

He concluded that the spirit indwelling [all] species is a unity but divided among many hearts.

Considered in this way, [all] species [is] a single entity and its many members were as the many organs in one individual: thus, not a multiplicity but a unity.”
- Ibn Tufail, “The Journey of the Soul” (a short 62 page story that may be one of the most important I’ve yet to read. A strong recommendation for you to order, read and reflect upon.)

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Philosopher Ibn Tufail is better known in the West as Abubacer, teacher of Averros, teacher of Avicenna. For those of you interested in philosophy, you already know that these are among the Greats. This short story is worth your time as it is considered a part of the foundation on which stood many of the later philosophers.

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