An Interpretation based on Asalat al-Wujud of Aristotle

The doctrine of asalat al-wujud (Principiality of Existence) is perhaps the most important basis of Mulla Sadra's philosophy. Mulla Sadra is mostly considered as the first founder of this doctrine. The doctrine of "principiality of existence and mentally-positedness of quiddity" has been interpreted in three ways" 1- quiddity is "existential limit" of existence; 2- quiddity is "mental limit" of existence"; and 3- quiddity is "the same as existence". The two first interpretations are caused by confusion between subject and object and confusion between epistemology and ontology. The best interpretation of the doctrine of "principiality of existence and mentally-positedness of quiddity" is the third interpretation according to which quiddity is "the same as existence". The author of the present article seeks to show that concerning "existence" and "quiddity" Aristotle is of an opinion which is the same as the third interpretation- "principiality of existence and mentallypositedness of quiddity". Having distinguished "existence" from "quiddity" in the mind, Aristotle claims for "sameness of existence and quiddity" in the external; world; and this is the same as Mulla Sadra's idea of "principiality of existence and mentally-positedness of quiddity".