The Pairing Problem from Perspective of Mulla Sadra

what is the paring problem? And how is it an obstacle to substantial dualism? Paring problem is why and how can a particular soul belong to a particular body. Resulting from inability to answer this question, it is claimed that causal interaction between an immaterial soul and its material body is impossible. In this research, the concept of the pairing problem is explained and its contrast with substantial dualism is exposed. The important point is whether or not this problem is under the mental causation. We have considered this problem to be different from the challenge of mental causation and we have provided an explanation to explain this difference. According to a new explanation of difference between paring problem and mental causation, it seems that paring problem has a long history in Islamic philosophy. On the other hand, what is Mulla Sadra's solution, as one of the most prominent Muslim philosophers, for this problem? Among other philosophers Mulla Sadra evaluates this problem precisely. we have investigated this problem from Mullah Sadra's view by considering Mullah Sadra's principles, especially by proposing two important interpretations on the union of soul and body from Mullah Sadra's view, i.e. The interpretation on the unity of soul and body to their existential distinction by Professor 'Oboudiyat and the interpretation on the existential identical beetween soul and its levels by Professor Yazdan Panah.

Methods of Study: 

The method of discovery in this issue is library investigation and the method of evaluation is rational critical analytic.

It seems that the interpretation on the union between soul and body in Mulla Sadra's view is a key point in solving this problem. So, two interpretations on the union between soul and body in Sadra's view have been expressed; the existential distinction of soul and body and the existential identical to soul and its body. Apparently, According to an interpretation on union, i.e. the existential distinction of soul and body, the soul and its levels are two different beings. So, based on this interpretation, the dilemma remains. We have concluded that according to existential distinction version, it would be impossible to provide an acceptable analysis for this problem. As a result, a possible explanation for solution this dilemma may be the interpreting unity of the soul and body as the existential identical between soul and its levels, i.e. the view that Claims soul and its levels exist with one being. Of course, we should consider other important principles in Sadra's psychology as well.

In this article, first of all, we have considered paring problem to be different from the challenge of mental causation and we have provided an explanation to explain this difference. Secondly, this problem has a long history in Islamic philosophy, and before the philosophers of mind, Muslim philosophers have dealt with it. Thirdly, a possible explanation for solution this dilemma may be the interpreting unity of the soul and body as the existential identical.