The Semantics of Existent and the Problem of Primacy of Being

Existent is one of the central concepts in the history of Islamic philosophy. But this word and its root i.e., existence, have different applications, the most famous of which is the subject of metaphysics. Based on the analysis of its lexical structure, this word can be simple or paronym and there are disagreements on determining the meaning of each of them and their synonymity. This article investigates these meanings under one of Suhrawardichr('39')s famous objections in rejecting the externality of existence. According to this objection, the externality of existence entails the homonymy of existent. The answer to this objection is expressed by distinguishing between the two different words: existent as a simple or as a paronym word. The analysis of each of these two answers shows that each of the simple or paronym existents are synonym and this synonymity entails the externality of existence and essence.