The Concept of iᶜtibār in Ibn al-Haytham’s Science

The term “iᶜtibār” is literally translatable as “consideration”. It is the meaning we find in the Arabic texts, be they scientific or general. But in Ibn al-Haytham’s usage is more than consideration because it is used in the context of research in the science of Optics. The present article gives an account of the occurrences of the term “iᶜtibār” and its derivatives in Ibn al-Haytham’s texts. The connection of the term “iᶜtibār” to the experiments displayed by Ibn al-Haytham’s led translators to render it with “experiment”; in opposition to that we think it is better to express it in the composed phrase “experiment-based consideration” and the study offers the reasons for that. Actually, Ibn al-Haytham’s concept of “iᶜtibār” is tied to the experimental method championed by him. He extensively used it in connection with “induction” and “reasoning”, “argumentation”, “discernment, “contemplation”, etc. His concept of “iᶜtibār” reflects the dynamics of his actual endeavors in scientific research and is not a simple experience.