Recognizing the Criteria of Multiplicity of Faculties of the Soul Based on a Comparative Analysis and Criticism of the Views of Ibn Sina, Fakhr-e- Razy and Sadrolmote'allehin

Document Type : Scholarly Article

Abstract

Providing a clear definition for faculties of the soul and enumerates the functions of each of the powers, requires a priori answer to the question of "the possibility of a multiplicity of soul faculties" and "criterion of plurality of any of them". Ibn Sina is one of the first philosophers to explain the exact position of powers in soul and offers criterion of “plurality of powers based on the number of material-type verbs" based on the rule of Al-Wahed. Fkhre Razy by rejection of Kubravi Al-Wahed rule, challenges the Ibn Sina's criteria. He reduced the plurality of powers to a plurality of instruments and based on that, considers the soul directly as the perceiver and agent of all actions and their perceptions. In the meantime, sadrolmote'allehin provided a middle way on the issue based on foundations of psychology that are based on transcendental philosophy ontology. He neither followed Ibn Sina's way to introduce the soul faculties as agent and direct perceiver, nor did he offer the ideas like Fkhre Razy about the rejection of intermediary of powers. Rather, through a considering a gradational approach, he criticized Ibn Sina and Fkhre Razy reductionism. Moreover, he stated the various faculties of the soul in three orders of sense, mind and intellect, and despite of proofs over intermediary of powers, he saw the soul as a perceiver and immediate agent.

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