A Comparative Study of the Functions of the Theory of Forms in the Philosophies of Plato and Suhrawardi

The present paper shows that the theory of Forms (muthul) opens a new chapter in Plato’s and Suhrawardi’s ontologies and epistemologies. The paper discusses their movaons for such a theory, comparing its influence in their respecve ontologies and epistemologies. I show that Plato takes the Forms to be the real objects of knowledge, maintaining that the material world cannot be constant and thus it cannot be the object of knowledge. Since in his view the Forms are objecve enes, he had to explain their ontological status—they are, in his view, below the Form of Good and above the material world. In his picture of the hierarchy of the existence, Suhrawardi takes nur al-anwar (the light of the lights) to be on top, followed by p ure lights called al-anwar al-qahira (dominant lights). The dominant lights are complete immaterial beings formed both vercally (ṭūlī) and horizontally (ʾarżī). The horizontal intellects are, in his view, the Platonic Forms or Arbab al-Anwẚ (Lords of the Species) connecon with which enables one to gain true wisdom.