Philosophy

Tracing Suhrawardi's Theory of the Immateriality of Imagination in the Works of Ibn Sina

Ali Asghar Jafari Valani; Donya Asadi Fakhrnezad

Volume 21, Issue 2 , March 2024, , Pages 15-36

Abstract

Sheikh Eshraq, by acknowledging the existence of various faculties for the soul and considering imagination as one of these faculties, he has aligned his perspective with Ibn Sina's ... Read More Sheikh Eshraq, by acknowledging the existence of various faculties for the soul and considering imagination as one of these faculties, he has aligned his perspective with Ibn Sina's view. Ibn Sina contends that all soul faculties, except the rational faculty, are material. Therefore, according to Ibn Sina, imagination, besides having its own material nature, is also impressed in a material locus. The faculty of imagination, based on the functions of "combination and elaboration," provides the necessary forms and meanings for reason to achieve intellectual perception. On the other hand, Sheikh Eshraq rejects the concept of the imaginative faculty and imaginal forms in the sense intended by Ibn Sina, considering imaginary forms as suspended images not located in any place or space. Although these forms occasionally manifest in appearances, those appearances should not be considered the actual place or space of those forms. In other words, Suhrawardi attributes imaginative perception, like all perceptions, to the immediate knowledge of the soul. Despite adhering to Ibn Sina regarding the corporeality of imagination, Suhrawardi views imaginal forms as independent, remaining, and existing in the "Greater Imagination" (Khayal Mutaqaddim). Although he designates the imaginative faculty as material, he doesn't find compatibility between the perceiver and the perceived and believes that the soul engages in perceiving imaginal forms through examples. Therefore, it seems that while Suhrawardi aligns with Ibn Sina's perspective to some extent, he diverges in various aspects of the imagination discourse. The researcher concludes that Suhrawardi's foundational thoughts in this discussion are rooted in his critical considerations of Ibn Sina's statements. Sheikh Eshraq, albeit not in a detailed and organized manner but generally, pays attention to the simplicity of imagination as the basis for criticisms in some of his works such as "Al-Mabahith" and "Tebi'at" in "Al-Shifa

The Theory of the Reverse Process and its Application in Explaining the Way of Observing and Knowing About Occult Matters by Ibn Sina and Sheykh Eshraq

Saeed Anvari

Volume 21, Issue 1 , September 2023, , Pages 83-100

Abstract

Ibn Sina considered the way of viewing non-material (rational) beings to have a reverse process of viewing material beings. After him, Sheikh Eshraq (Suhrawardi) also explained how ... Read More Ibn Sina considered the way of viewing non-material (rational) beings to have a reverse process of viewing material beings. After him, Sheikh Eshraq (Suhrawardi) also explained how to observe the creatures of the imaginal world with the help of this process. Instead of the five external senses that send information to common sense, this information is transferred from the soul or the imagination in the opposite direction to common sense. The necessary condition for this is that the external and internal powers are not busy, and there is an opportunity for sensual perception to affect the brain and common sense. In this way, an unseen being is represented by the person. This process happens in two states: sleep and wakefulness. Those whose souls are strong or whose bodies are weak succeed in such an observation. Since sensual perception reaches a common sense through inner powers and imagination, sometimes imagination interferes, takes possession of it, and turns what the soul has observed into its likeness or opposite. In this case, we need an interpretation of the conditions and methods examined in this article. However, in some cases, what has been observed reaches the common sense without interference, and the person observes them. The criterion for such an observation is that closing the eyes does not prevent it from being seen. In some cases, this process requires an interpretation, and this article examines the conditions. Also, this process has various applications in Islamic philosophy. With its help, the method of observing and representing angels, jinn, and demons, as well as the method of inspiration and seeing a veridical dream, and some types of magic and knowledge of the occult have been explained. In this way, it is also possible to explain the observations and sensory perceptions and hear the sounds described by Sheikh Eshraq in the stages of treading a path of mystical conduct. The types of revelation that happen through seeing the angel of revelation and hearing his voice can also be explained in this way. In some patients, the origin of these observations is purely imaginary, and the person suffers from hallucinations and observes things that have no origin other than his brain. In this way, the delusions of some patients can also be explained. This article describes and criticizes the reverse process and its applications. It has been shown that Avicenna influences Suhrawardi in this discussion, and both philosophers have proposed similar applications for this theory, with the difference that Suhrawardi extended Avicenna's thesis, which was about rational beings, to the imaginal world.

Critique of Suhrawardi's Theory of God's Activity Based on the System of Rationalities in His Philosophy

Laleh Haghighat

Volume 19, Issue 2 , January 2022, , Pages 77-92

Abstract

Suhrawardi believes that God is the agent of "satisfaction" (bel-Rez); According to this view, divine knowledge is the source of all beings in terms of the general system in the whole ... Read More

On the Notorious History of the Problem of Primacy of

Homa Ranjbar; Davood Hosseini

Volume 17, Issue 1 , September 2019, , Pages 105-120

Abstract

Within the contemporary literature, there is a common ground about the history of the problem of primacy of existence. According to this notorious story, the prominent roles are those ... Read More

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Keywords = Suhrawardi

Tracing Suhrawardi's Theory of the Immateriality of Imagination in the Works of Ibn Sina

Abstract

The Theory of the Reverse Process and its Application in Explaining the Way of Observing and Knowing About Occult Matters by Ibn Sina and Sheykh Eshraq

Abstract

Critique of Suhrawardi's Theory of God's Activity Based on the System of Rationalities in His Philosophy

Abstract

On the Notorious History of the Problem of Primacy of

Abstract