A Latin translation? The reception of Avicenna in Albert the Great's \u2018De praedicamentis\u2019

This paper presents an analysis of some quotations of Avicenna in Albert the Great\u2019s De praedicamentis. Many of these quotations have been thought by Mario Grignaschi to prove a direct knowledge, on Albert\u2019s part, of the Avicennan Categories (the Maq\u16bl\u101t of his Kit\u101b al-\u160if\u101\u2be), a Latin translation of which is neither extant nor attested : Grignaschi presented these conclusions in a 1972 article on the Latin circulation of Arabic logical works, where he also hypothesized Albert\u2019s use of other sources apparently unknown to the Latins (al-F\u101r\u101b\u12b\u2019s Greater commentaries on the Organon, the logical sections of Avicenna\u2019s \u160if\u101\u2be posterior to the paraphrase of the Isagoge). Jules Janssens challenged these conclusions in a recent contribution (2013), arguing that Albert did not necessarily have access to versions of the concerned Arabic texts. The present research is thus aimed at reprising Grignaschi\u2019s dossier and Janssens\u2019 reassessment, in particular as regards Albert\u2019s De praedicamentis and its relation with Avicenna\u2019s Maq\u16bl\u101t : though Janssens\u2019 conclusions are substantially confirmed, further elements of discussion are given concerning Albert\u2019s sources, his use of the quotations and his understanding of Avicenna\u2019s philosophy