one of the most subtle philosophers that ever appeared among the Arabians, flourished at the end of the 11th and beginning of the 12th century. He was the son of the high-priest and chief judge of Corduba in Spain. He was educated in the university of Morocco; and studied natural philosophy, medicine, mathematics, law, and divinity. After the death of his father, he enjoyed his poits; but notwithstanding his being exceeding rich, his liberality to men of letters in necessity, whether they were his friends or enemies, made him always in debt. He was afterwards stripped of all his poits, and thrown into prison, for hereby; but the oppressions of the judge who succeeded him, caused him to be restored to his former employments.

He died at Morocco in the year 1206. He was excessively fat, though he eat but once a day. He spent all his nights in the study of philosophy; and when he was fatigued, amused himself with reading poetry or history. He was never seen to play at any game, or to partake in any diversion. He was extremely fond of Aristotle's works, and wrote commentaries on them; whence he was styled The Commentator, by way of eminence. He likewise wrote a work on the whole art of physic, and many amorous verses; but when he grew old, he threw these last into the fire. His other poems are lost, except a small piece, in which he says, "That when he was young, he acted against his reason; but that when he was in years, he followed its dictates;" upon which he utters this wish; "Would to God I had been born old, and that in my youth I had been in a state of perfection!" As to religion, his opinions were, that Christianity is absurd; Judaism, the religion of children; Mahometanism, the religion of swine.