The Role of Accidental Lights in Sadrian System of Emanation

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. of Philosophy and Theology Department, University of Zanjan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of Islamic Philosophy and Theology Department, University of Zanjan, Iran

Abstract

Clarifying the nature of accidental lights is one of the main parts of Suhrawardi’s emanative structure. Having elaborated the way these lights illuminate and the role they play in creating Lords of Species (archetypes), he innovatively explained parallel (horizontal) multiplicities of intellects whose presences make all entities possible in all worlds lie below the world of Power (Alam al-Jabarut), i.e., alam al-malakut and alam al-mulk.Mulla-Sadra, who has often mentioned Platonic Ideas in his works and considered himself as a defender of this theory, was intensely influenced by Suhrawardi’s emanative structure and especially his theory of Lords of Species (archetypes), which are equivalent to Platonic Ideas. Although Mulla-Sadra mostly owes his ontological structure to Suhrawardi’s emanative one, he, when dealt with the problem of accidental lights, which provides a basis for Lords of the Species to be possible, presumes that believing in accidental lights is in conflict with the principle of complete actuality of intellects and their pure incorporeity. In this article, firstly, we make it clear why even if someone adheres to Mulla-Sadra's position regarding complete actuality of intellects, he can still accept Lords of the Species. He can explain the creation of parallel (horizontal) order of intellects by referring to different aspects of intellects lie in ascending (vertical) order. Secondly, we show that Mulla-Sadra was not justified in believing in complete actuality of intellects. Because it is not one of the principles of Transcendent Wisdom (Al-Hikma al-muta ‘aliya), nor does it cohere with other main principles of this philosophical system.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

The Holy Quran
Copleston, F. (1996). History of Greek and Roman Philosophy, Translated by S. J. Mojtabavi, Scientific and Cultural publications. (in Persian)
Farabi, M. (1984). Opinions of Utopia People, Correction by N. Nasri, Dar ul-Mashreq Publications. (in Persian)
Izutsu, T. (1989). Hekmat Sabzevari Foundation. Translated by S. j. Mojtabavi, University of Tehran Publications. (in Persian)
Mulla Sadra. (1981). Transcendent Wisdom in the Asfar Arbaah, Published by Arab Heritage Revival House. (in Persian)
Mulla Sadra. (1979). Entering the Heart to Know GOD, Iranian Wisdom and Philosophy Association. (in Persian)
Mulla Sadra. (1984). Hidden Keys, Correction by M.  Khajavi, Iranian Wisdom and Philosophy Association. (in Persian)
Mulla Sadra. (1987). Description of Usul ul-Kafi, Correction by M. Khajavi, Institute of Cultural Studies. (in Persian)
Mulla Sadra. (2000). Interpretation of The Holy Quran, Correction by M. Khajavi, Bidar Publications. (in Persian)
Mulla Sadra. (2002). Origin and Resurrection Correction by M. Zabihi, Sadra Islamic Hikmat Foundation. (in Persian)
Mulla Sadra. (2002). Origin and Resurrection, Imperial Society of Iranian Philosophy. (in Persian)
Mulla Sadra. (2007). Deistic Evidence in Behavioral Approaches. Correction by S. J. Ashtiani, Boustan-e Ketab. (in Persian)
Mulla Sadra. (2013). Her Opinion about Wisdom of Illumination. Sadra Islamic Hikmat Foundation. (in Persian)
Rahimian, S. (2000). Existential Grace and Effectiveness from Plotin to Mulla Sadra. Boustan-e Ketab. (in Persian)
Shahrzori, SH. (1993). Description of Wisdom of Illumination, Correction by H. Ziayi Torbati, Institute of Cultural Studies. (in Persian)
Suhrvardi, SH. (1976). Collection of Works of Sheikh Eshraq, Correction by H. Carbone. Islamic Society of Wisdom and Philosophy of Iran. (in Persian)
Suhrvardi, SH. (1994). Collection of Works of Sheikh Eshraq, Institute of Humanities and Cultural Studies. (in Persian)
Suhrvardi, SH. (1998). Wisdom of Illumination, Translated by J. Sajadi, Tehran University Publications. (in Persian)
Suhrvardi, SH. (2010). Wisdom of Illumination, Translated by M. Zamani, University of Payam-e Noor Publications. (in Persian)
YazdanPanah, Y. (2021). Wisdom of Illumination, Samt Publications. (in Persian)
Send comment about this article
CAPTCHA Image

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics