Mulla Sadra on the Nature of Estimation, Its Relationship with Reason and Its Role in Ethics and Mysticism

Estimation is an important faculty in the faculties of the soul. It has an important role in psychology and other research areas including epistemology, ethics and mysticism. Estimation causes errors of mind in understanding the universal notions and helps reason to understand the particular notions. According to Mulla Sadra, estimation is an immaterial faculty which is not independent. Mulla Sadra believes that estimation is the reason which descends to a lower level. The role of estimation in errors of mind is more significant for philosophers than other thinkers. Thus, Mulla Sadra held it to be the source of faults of the mind and gateway of Satan to deceive human. From his point of view, estimation, in tandem with satanic temptations, is the source of some human behaviors. In addition, it causes obstacles in mystical seeking. In this paper, we shall analyze Mulla Sadra’s account of the nature of estimation and its relationship with reason. Then we will attempt to analyze the Estimation's role in ethics and mysticism.