Comprehensive Inclusivism: A Survey of Mullā Sadrā s Theory of Salvation

The destiny of man and his liberation from pain and misery have been the key subjects of theology of religions. In old and new theological discussions concerning the final salvation of man, three types of theories as exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism are put forward. This paper is going to investigate Sadr al-dÊn ShÊrāzʒs view on this subject, which as his many other philosophical innovations, seems quite new and peculiar to him. By considering the salvation as a relative concept, he puts forward a fresh view which might be called comprehensive inclusivism.