The meaning in three metaphorical stories of Avicenna

The issue of “The meaning of life” has always been the background of all people’s mind and the prelude of philosophers, psychologists and ethics scholars’ works. ”, Avicenna, as one of the greatest existential philosophers, recognizing the importance of the problem, always, in all his works, tries to give reasonable and well-founded explanation about the meaning of life. From three main applications of the word “meaning” i.e. “aim, value and application”, the main focus of Avicenna was on achievement of “the aim of life”.
This essay intends, through descriptive, analytical and comparison methodology, to examine the problem in three metaphorical stories of Hayy ibn Yaqdhan, Risalat al-Tayr and Salaman and Absal. In Avicenna’s view, recognition of meaning of life and to reach its final aims is a way so difficult and a path abundant with obstacles. He sometimes interprets the obstacles as “bad friends”(in Hayy ibn Yaqdhan), sometimes as “net, seed and chain”(in Risalat al-Tayr)and sometimes as “coquettishness’” (in Salaman and Absal). Avicenna explores the only way to freedom of such disagreeable circumstance, and obtaining the meaning of life, in conscious action, continuous struggle, and a deep and broad vision of the human life.