A Study of the Principle of Nobler Possibility and its Relationship with the Principiality of Existence

The principle of nobler possibility is one of the important principles of Illuminationist philosophy. Suhrawardi paid particular attention to this principle and sought to substantiate it in most of his works. The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the principle of nobler possibility and the principiality of existence. Accordingly, the authors found it necessary to provide some answers to the following questions: Is the famous argument for the principle of nobler possibility which has been propounded in the works of Suhrawardi and his followers based on the principiality of quiddity? What is the standpoint of Mulla Sadra, as the founder of the philosophical principle of the principiality of existence, regarding the mentioned principle and the related argument? Has anyone ever presented an interpretation of the principle of nobler possibility based on the principiality of existence? What are the strengths and weak points of the interpretations of this principle and the related arguments? On the other hand, some objections have been advanced against this principle which can be removed based on the fundamental principles of the Transcendent Philosophy. For example, Muhaqqiq Dawani has referred to a problem regarding this principle which Mulla Sadra has resolved relying on the principiality of existence and the related principles. His response could provide the basis for a different interpretation of the principle of nobler possibility, which has been tackled in this paper.