Mulla Sadra's Critical Evaluation of Ibn Sina's Imprinted Forms Theory

Avicenna suggests the theory of “imprinted forms” for solving the problem of divine foreknowledge of corporal beings. he believes that this theory can successfully explain divine detailed knowledge of corporal beings. Although Mulla Sadra agrees with some of Avicenna’s claims about the issue such as affirming divine foreknowledge of corporal beings، presence of beings’ intellectual forms to God and that the intellectual forms are requisite for the essence of the Necessary Being، He disagrees with his other assertions about the issue. For instance، he rejects intelligible forms to be accidents; instead، he counts them requisites for the essence of the Real Being. Besides، intelligible forms in his view are not merely subjective. In this article، I shall depict Avicenna’s theory and describe Mulla Sadra’s agreements and disagreements with Avicenna. Finally، I will portray Mulla Sadra''s final view about the issue.