Al-Farabi writes commentaries on a number of…

Al-Farabi writes commentaries on a number of Aristotelian texts and composes several original treatises on psychology, mathematics, and the occult sciences.

He endeavors, in both his commentaries and original compositions, to demonstrate the unity of Plato and Aristotle and to prove the primacy of philosophy.

Influenced by mystical Neoplatonism, he attempts to reconcile Islam with philosophy; maintaining that, in contrast to philosophy, religion represents the truth in a symbolic form for nonphilosophers.

In his “Grand Book on Music,” he describes in detail the musical instruments of the age and explains the rhythmic modes currently in use.

He dies around 950 at around age eighty.