Mental Existence in the View of the Philosophers of Shiraz School

Philosophers of Shiraz School, who lived after Khādjeh Naṣīr al-dīn Ṭūsi and before Mīr Dāmād, had a great impact on Mullā Ṣadrā’s ideas and innovations, and his Transcendent Philosophy. However, this influence has remained un-noticed ever since. The author in this article reviews the issue of “mental existence” in the philosophy of Mullā Ṣadrā by referring to the manuscripts of the philosophers of Shiraz School, including Ṣadr al-dīn Dashtaki, Ghīyath al-dīn Dashtaki, and Jalāl al-dīn Dawāni. This issue had been raised in the discussions between Dashtakis and Dawāni which contained valuable points, and led to Mullā Ṣadrā’s innovative idea about mental existence.