Tracing the Roots of Avicenna's Existentialist Metaphysics and its Theological Implications

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Associate Professor of Theology Faculty of Tabriz University - Tabriz – Iran

10.22080/jre.2024.28106.1228

Abstract

The principle of the priority of existence (asalat al-wujud), a fundamental tenet of Islamic philosophy, particularly in the transcendental theosophy (ḥikmat mutaʿāliya) of Mulla Sadra, posits the precedence of existence over essence. This theory considers existence as an independent and primary reality from which the essence of beings is derived. In Islamic philosophy, "asalat" signifies the source of effect, and the external realization of an object is through this primordial principle. This article, employing an analytical-descriptive approach and examining the works of Avicenna (Ibn Sina), traces the roots of Sadra's theory of the priority of existence in the pre-transcendental theosophical thought of this philosopher, demonstrating that Avicenna's statements can illuminate this theory. Evidence such as the equivalence of existence and goodness, the indifference of essence to existence and non-existence, the supervention of existence upon essence, and the inherent contingency of existence, indicates the roots of Mulla Sadra's theory of the priority of existence in Avicennan thought. However, differences and distinctions exist between the priority of existence in transcendental theosophy and Avicenna's concept, which are discussed in detail in the article. The theological implications of this theory can have profound effects on our understanding of being, God, the human relationship with God, prophethood, imamate, the embodiment of actions, and so on. These implications demonstrate the depth and breadth of this theory's influence on various areas of Islamic theology.

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