دانشگاه تبریز مجله پژوهش های فلسفی 2251-7960 20 54 2026 01 21 Understanding Brain Rot: a processual and philosophical analysis through Avicenna’s hierarchy of intellect Understanding Brain Rot: a processual and philosophical analysis through Avicenna’s hierarchy of intellect 503 520 19989 10.22034/jpiut.2025.67650.4130 FA تری وی فارما دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد، گروه فلسفه دین، دانشگاه دولتی اسلامی رادن اینتان، لامپونگ، اندونزی عبد رحمان حمید استادیار گروه تاریخ تمدن اسلامی، دانشگاه دولتی اسلامی رادن اینتان، لامپونگ، اندونزی. محمد اکمنسیه دانشیار گروه مدیریت آموزش معارف اسلامی، دانشگاه دولتی اسلامی رادن اینتان، لامپونگ، اندونزی. محمد عفیف-انشوری استاد گروه عرفان روان درمانی، دانشگاه دولتی اسلامی رادن اینتان لامپونگ، اندونزی Journal Article 2025 06 07 This study explores the concept of brain rot and its correlation with Avicenna’s four stages of intellect, offering a philosophical and normative perspective on cognitive decline in the digital age. By mapping the stages of brain rot—excessive exposure to digital content, mediating factors, cognitive dysfunction, and chronic cognitive decline—onto Avicenna’s hierarchy, this study reveals how digital overstimulation hinders intellectual progression. The research highlights the stagnation of cognitive faculties, from the passive, unactualized state of ʿAql Hayūlānī (potential intellect) to the irreversible decline seen in <em>ʿAql Mustafād</em> (acquired intellect). Mediating factors such as digital addiction, information overload, and mental fatigue exacerbate this stagnation, preventing the activation of higher cognitive functions and reflective reasoning. The study also integrates recent literature on brain rot and digital dementia to provide empirical support for the mapping process, demonstrating how excessive digital exposure disrupts intellectual growth and rational autonomy. These findings suggest the need for philosophical reflection on cognitive decline and underscore the importance of addressing the challenges posed by digital media in fostering intellectual engagement and development. This study explores the concept of brain rot and its correlation with Avicenna’s four stages of intellect, offering a philosophical and normative perspective on cognitive decline in the digital age. By mapping the stages of brain rot—excessive exposure to digital content, mediating factors, cognitive dysfunction, and chronic cognitive decline—onto Avicenna’s hierarchy, this study reveals how digital overstimulation hinders intellectual progression. The research highlights the stagnation of cognitive faculties, from the passive, unactualized state of ʿAql Hayūlānī (potential intellect) to the irreversible decline seen in <em>ʿAql Mustafād</em> (acquired intellect). Mediating factors such as digital addiction, information overload, and mental fatigue exacerbate this stagnation, preventing the activation of higher cognitive functions and reflective reasoning. The study also integrates recent literature on brain rot and digital dementia to provide empirical support for the mapping process, demonstrating how excessive digital exposure disrupts intellectual growth and rational autonomy. These findings suggest the need for philosophical reflection on cognitive decline and underscore the importance of addressing the challenges posed by digital media in fostering intellectual engagement and development. https://philosophy.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_19989_67fc120f68d6ff71a95232163e76784d.pdf