An introduction to the philosophy of art in the view of great Islamic philosophers

Philosophy of art discusses non-artistic principles and basis of art, in other words, discusses philosophical principles of art. Although Islamic philosophers do not allocate an independent section on philosophy of art in their works, but they have sparsely mentioned points, among different discussions, that fit in philosophy of art, as it is in the case of epistemology and philosophy of science.One of the main topics of philosophy of art is the discussion of beauty. Islamic philosophers have special views and definitions about beauty. According to Islamic theologians, the existing beauties of this world are specific and imperfect manifestations of the absolute beauty, which is God. The second main discussion of philosophy of art is the role of imagination in the appearance of artistic works. Islamic theologians have elaborately discussed imagination, imagination faculty, the imaginary world and its effects on the appearance of artistic works like poems. On the other hand, according to the transcendental view of Sadra in philosophy of art, the root of art is known to be some Divine Names and attributes such as The Creatorness of God and 'His Being The Best Creator'. He explains that every human is God's successor and the inheritor of the Divine attributes in an analogical gradation manner. By creating works, depending on their capability, artists are also emanators of these Names and attributes. In addition, Islamic theologians have a transcendental view of representations that is intensely different from the views of Plato and Aristotle in this regard and is much deeper than them.