A Study of the Relationship Between the Soul and the Body from the Perspectives of Mulla Sadra and Plotinus

Authors

1 MA in Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

10.22080/jepr.2025.28275.1241

Abstract

The soul is one of the most important philosophical topics in the works of Mulla Sadra and Plotinus. In this article, we conduct a comparative study of these two philosophers' views on the relationship between the soul and the body, using a descriptive-analytical method. Both thinkers believe in the corporeal origination of the soul and consider the body the final part of the total cause. Regarding the corporeal origination of the soul, the unity of the soul and body, the levels of the soul and body, and the instrumentality of the body for the soul, they share similarities in some aspects and differ in others. Moreover, traces of intensified substantial motion can be found in Plotinus's thought, as he considers form to be a substance and views the accumulation of the perfections of forms in the natural world as essential for living beings. On the other hand, both Plotinus and Mulla Sadra affirm the unity of souls in the arc of descent—within the intellect (in MullaSadra's view) and the Universal Soul (in Plotinus's view)—and uphold the natural unity of soul and body. They argue that the body is merely an instrument for the soul and is not the true source of perception and stimulation. The soul is the actual perceiver, using the body as a means to engage with the natural world.

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