Poetry and Epistemology in Fourteenth-Century South France: Rhythmical Discourse as a Source of Knowledge in the Sefer ha-Shir le-Aristo

In 1337 the Middle Commentary of Ibn Rušd on Aristotle’s Poetics was translated from Arabic into Hebrew by Todros Todrosi of Arles. This young philosopher, was the author active in Provence (South France) in the intellectual project called by the historians “the translation movement” who characterize the Jewish Intellectual History between XII-XIV century. The Sefer ha-shir le-Arisṭo, reflect the deep interest that Jewish Philosophers developed for the function of intuition and imagination trough the mimetic faculty of musical and rhythmical word (מלה) in the process of knowledge. Melodious voice and poetic discourse are described as the fundamental tools putting in motion the imaginative faculty of the soul. The relation between vowels and consonants is described as the relation between matter (חומר) and form (צורה). Just speaking, individuals, activate these two elements by which reality could exist passing from potentiality to actuality. Music is present in human beings through the melodious voice/sound (קול) composed by the vowels and the consonants of Hebrew language which move the soul toward the harmonious construction of personality and the world that humans trace around them. Productive arts, music and poetry are suitable for kids in order to prepare (להכין) their soul to apprehend philosophical truths since a very young stage of their life. This pedagogical approach on arts involves literature and Holy Scriptures. This paper aims to highlight the role of poetic musical discourse into the Jewish philosophical thought of the XIV century and its connection with classical and Arabic sources.