An Investigation of Mulla Sadra's Views on Realization of Intellectual Perception

Unlike Avicenna and Sohrevardi, Mulla Sadra believes in the creativity of soul in sense and imaginal perceptions while at first glance he seems to hold different and even contradictory views on intellectual perception. His most significant views on intellectual perception fall into three categories: distant observation of illuminative forms, expansion of images on the basis of Rashh and dissolution of soul in God to the point of Fana (self-annihilation). Mulla Sadra declared the third approach his final view; however, contemporary commentators of transcendental philosophy have sought to justify the three of them. The author of this paper supports the view that Mulla Sadra considered each of these approaches a stage of intellectual perception and believed that the soul observes the intellectual images from distance due to its weakness in the first stage; then unites with intellectual images in the second stage while moving toward perfection and finally becomes the creator of intellectual images as it reaches the pinnacle of perfection and self-annihilation. Therefore, the weaker the self is, the weaker its perception is and vice versa. In conclusion, only the steadfast seekers of knowledge and perfect men will attain the final stage of intellectual perception.