Analysis of the Category of Beauty in Attar's Thought with an Approach to Plotinus’ View

Since eternity without beginning (Azal), human has never been able to take no notice of the sacred attribute of beauty. That’s why philosophers and theorists in the field of art and literature have always considered the category of beauty. Therefore, the present paper aimed to analyze the equal terms of beauty in Attar’s poems based on descriptive and library studies, then compare it with Plotinus’ school of aesthetics and investigate the differences and similarities of their viewpoints. According to conducted research, Plotinus’ and Attar's thoughts collision showed that beauty is something graduated and whether in the sensible world or invisible world, it comprehends that human can fifure it out in three different aspects of beauty: by sensation, by intellect and by soul. The provoking point of their different thoughts is that Attar finds sorrow as a way to achieve the beauty of the beloved one but Plotinus believes that understanding of the happiness of the divine beauty is the basis of spiritual enjoyment. Moreover, Attar agrees with Plotinus' viewpoint and gives a religious and mystical feature to the category of beauty.