The Principality of Existence, a Philosophical Problem or Pseudo Problem?

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Article Type:
Research/Original Article (دارای رتبه معتبر)
Abstract:

The principality of existence or quiddity has been considered one of the important and influential problems in the tradition of Islamic philosophy since the time of Mīrdāmād until this day. Most philosophers have accepted the principality of existence and rejected its opposite view, and some have accepted the principality of quiddity. In this paper by examining the conceptual foundations and analysing the subject in dispute, we have reached to the conclusion that the principality of existence or quiddity is not really a philosophical problem, and the dispute between the two parties is a verbal dispute and the disputants are talking past each other. The proponents and the opponents of the principality of existence do not mean the same thing by “existence”. Similarly, the proponents and the opponents of the principality of quiddity do not mean the same thing by “quiddity”. Quiddity for the proponents of the principality of quiddity is the existent quiddity, not quiddity qua quiddity. And the existent quiddity for them is the external reality, not the quiddity which has been unified with existence. Likewise, the existence deemed fictitious by the proponents of the principality of quiddity is the general self-evident concept of existence, not existence in the sense that is the external reality which is a cause of an effect or an effect of a cause. After explaining the claim and providing proof that the dispute is verbal, some objections have been raised and answered.

Language:
Persian
Published:
Metaphysical Investigations, Volume:5 Issue: 1, 2024
Pages:
90 to 109
https://www.magiran.com/p2756403  
سامانه نویسندگان
  • Mohammad Javad Rezaei Rah
    Corresponding Author (1)
    (1378) دکتری فلسفه، دانشگاه تربیت مدرس
    Rezaei Rah، Mohammad Javad
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