The Criteria for the Separation of the Truth from Mentally-Posited Values Based on ‘Allāmah Ṭabāṭabā’ī’s Works

Human perceptions can be divided into two real and mentally-posited groups, each with their own specific features and principles. The inappropriate combination of these two perceptions has resulted in some mistakes on the part of thinkers and, sometimes, has even resulted in doubting the basic principles of intellection. This incorrect combination is rooted in the lack of a clear criterion for the separation of these two types of perception. In his quest for the parameters of the separation of the truth from mentally-posited entities in ‘Allāmah Ṭabāṭabā’ī’s works, the author has proposed six criteria in this paper and then analyzed and criticized them. Finally, he concludes that although none of the mentioned parameters can be an absolute criterion by itself for the separation of real and mentally-posited perceptions from each other, the collection of the assumptions originating in the simultaneous use of a combination of such criteria could create a high confidence level regarding this necessary separation.