Sabzawari and the criticism of Sadr al-Muta’allihin's argument for substantial motion

Abstract One of the arguments advanced by Sadr al-Muta’allihin to prove the substantial motion is the argument through the mutual implication between nature and its effects and movements. Sabzawari has opposed this argument, and regarded it as a merely polemical proof which is compatible with the principles of Illuminationist philosophy, and incompatible with the foundations of Sadr al-Muta’allihin himself. The objections raised by Sabzawari shows that this argument in its Sadrian presentation is not compelling. Murtaza Mutahhari has tried to turn this argument into a compelling argument by reconstructing and revising it. This reconstruction, although it is ambiguous and is not completely compatible with Sadrian presentation, makes the scientific discussion of the above mentioned argument clearer and more upgraded (especially if it is refereed on the basis of analytic causation). But, firstly, this progress does not show the falsehood of Sabzawari's objections and considerations about the Sadrian version, and secondly, what has opened up the new horizons and promoted this discussion is the very objections and considerations made by Sabzawari.