Critical Analysis of Common-Sense Exegesis of Mulla Sadra's Theory of Principality of Existence

Since Molla Sadra’s era، various exegeses have been made of the principality of existence (isalat al-wujoud) and non-principality of quiddity which can be placed in three distinct groups: 1) common-sense exegeses، 2) philosophical exegeses، and 3) mystical exegeses. Common-sense exegesis is the one derived from a common sense viewpoint of the universe، which presupposes the quiddities external. Philosophical exegesis is due to a rational and exact viewpoint of the quiddity. In this view، quiddity is considered something that is derived from the limitation of the existence of the entities. Finally، mystical exegesis is one derived from the direct knowledge of the entities and in which quiddity is simply some mental appearance. The article shows that philosophical and mystical exegeses are correct exegeses of principality، whereas common-sense exegesis is an incorrect one that is the result of an inexact view of the quiddity.