The Eternity of the Universe Debate

Ibn Tufal is effectively telling us that the eternity of the universe debate does not need to be resolved. If you can prove the existence of an immaterial first cause either way, then it becomes unnecessary to decide the eternity question. Once he has proved God's existence, High really begins to see himself as superior to the other animals. They have no awareness of such a first cause, but busy themselves with mere bodily survival. He also realizes his true self is not, after all, a physical breath pervading his body, but a soul, which is like God in being immaterial.