Averroes and Plato: thinking Convivence from Córdoba
Philosophy for a just society
In the 12th century, in a vibrant and plural Córdoba, Averroes was born, one of the great thinkers in history. Although he is known as the great commentator of Aristotle, his work also shows a deep connection with Plato. In fact, unable to access Aristotle’s Politics, Averroes turned to Plato’s Republic to reflect on the organisation of a just society.
This was not merely a practical solution, but a genuine intellectual decision. Averroes found in Plato a solid foundation for thinking about justice, power, and the common good, yet he did not simply repeat his ideas. Through his commentary on the Republic, he reinterpreted the work and adapted it to his own context: that of al-Andalus, a complex society where different cultures and religions coexisted.
For Averroes, philosophy and religion were not opposed. On the contrary, both lead to the same truth. For this reason, he turns to Plato’s thought to show that a just state must be guided by reason, while also remaining in harmony with divine law. The figure of the “philosopher-king” thus becomes that of the wise ruler: someone who combines knowledge, virtue, and responsibility.
Moreover, his reflection on justice goes beyond theory. Averroes understands justice as balance: within the individual, but also within society. In contrast to the rigidities of his time, he proposes a politics oriented towards the common good, grounded in reason and virtue, rather than merely in rules.
Averroes and the ideal of Convivence
Averroes’ thought takes on a particular meaning when placed within its historical context: al-Andalus. In cities such as Córdoba, Muslims, Jews, and Christians shared spaces, knowledge, and ways of life for centuries. This reality, often complex, was also a source of cultural richness and dialogue.
Within this framework, Averroes’ reading of Plato can be understood as a genuine proposal for Convivence. His idea of justice does not seek uniformity, but harmony among differences. The ideal society does not eliminate diversity, but organises it around shared principles: reason, ethics, and the pursuit of the common good.
In this model, the ruler is not only a political leader but also a mediator. He must be capable of understanding the different realities of his society and integrating them without imposing, guiding it towards a shared balance. This vision feels especially relevant today, in a world where diversity is, once again, both a challenge and an opportunity.
Averroes did not accept all of Plato’s ideas uncritically. His thought is selective, open, and oriented towards dialogue. Yet this is precisely where its strength lies: in its ability to build bridges between different traditions —Greek philosophy and Islam, reason and faith— and to transform them into a living reflection on society.
Today, as we rediscover Averroes’ legacy, particularly on the occasion of the 900th anniversary of his birth, his figure emerges as a powerful symbol —not only of knowledge, but also of Convivence. Córdoba, as a historical space of encounter, remains the ideal setting in which to rediscover his message: that it is possible to build more just societies when dialogue, reason, and mutual respect take center stage.
