Analyzing the Three Stages of Correspondence Theory from Mulla Sadra's Point of View

For analysis and formulation of "truth", several theories have been stated, one of which is the correspondence theory. Correspondence means that proposition is in accordance with reality or (according to the Islamic philosophers) Nafsal-Amr, it indicates connection between proposition and reality or (according to the Western philosophers) the fact; That is, in correspondence theory, true statements represent reality. Although correspondence, with its maximum adherents among Western and Muslim philosophers, guarantees the discovery of knowledge of reality; However, there have been problems with it, some of which have been answered, but some have regressed this theory and even put the philosopher in position of presenting an alternative theory such as coherence, pragmatism, etc.

Method of Study:

 The current research has been carried out with the aim of analytically explaining the evolution of Sadra's view in the issue of correspondence, through the descriptive-analytical-rational method, explain Mulla Sadra's answers to the problems of correspondence theory and designing and drawing his alternative theory .

Problems of the correspondence theory based on the duality of the mind and the object are: the union of substance and accident, the inclusion of something under two different categories, etc., which is known as the problem of the “mental being” among Muslim scholars and Mulla Sadra's answers to those problems are classified in Three levels : 1. Separation of Hamle_avvail from Hamle_shaaye according to the essence of knowledge, which solved the problem of the union of substance and accident and the inclusion of an object under two categories .2. The theory of existential correspondence between mind and object, according to the existence of knowledge and separation of knowledge from mental being, relying on the originality of existence and gradation in existence, which is result of the objective correspondence of the superior existence of essence to its special existence . 3.Deviating from the correspondence theory and returning all human knowledge to the knowledge by presence which is infallible, and its infallibility is justified in such a way that since the knowledge by presence is without the mediation of the mental form, then in it, the correspondence of knowledge with the intelligible is not a question, but knowledge is the intelligible.

The result is that analytical explanation of the evolution of Mulla Sadra's view in the issue of correspondence is based on two cl aims the first claim (which is a more modified state than the second) replaces existential correspondence with substantive correspondence, which is the middle view and the second level of Sadra's theory and it can be taken from the basics of: the originality of existence and gradation in existence. In the second claim (which is a more perfect state than the first), based on principles such as: The immateriality of knowledge, Unification of the intelligent, intellect and the intelligible, the presence of all knowledge and the infallibility of knowledge by presence, there is no place for correspondence theory; Because correspondence is only discussed in the field of acquired knowledge, and this is the final view and the third level of Sadra's theory .