Mulla Sadra's Gradation of Existence and its Synoptic Comparison with the Personal Unity of Existence

The theory of the particular gradation of being is one of the main foundations of transcendental philosophy. In some writings, this theory has not been rightly explained. Thus, a reconsideration of it can give us a better picture. According to the present study, discussions such as ‘univocality’ and the ‘gradation’ of the concept of existence, ‘essentiality of existence’ and ‘simplicity of existence’ are among the foundations of this theory; just as the real unity and plurality of existents as well as the sameness of unity and plurality of existence are among its parameters. Based on this theory, all orders of existence, despite their plurality and diversity, may be considered as a personal running continuous unit extending from the highest order of existence (Necessary Existent by essence) down to the lowest order (the prime matter). Therefore, the unique and personal reality of existence, despite its unity and simplicity, is plural with longitudinal and latitudinal orders. It seems that Mullā Sadrā’s theory of particular gradation is different from his own theory of personal unity, and they may be well differentiated.