Mundus imaginalis. On some liminal adventures of the imagination

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze the category of mundus imaginalis formulated by Henry Corbin on the basis of Islamic philosophy (alam al-mithal). Corbin was inspired by Islamic mystics who recognized the existence of imaginary sphere, mediating between the sensual world and the intelligible world. For Corbin, who was also has influenced by CG. Jung and A. Koyré, mundus imaginalis becomes a useful tool for the analysis of imagination (understood as active cognitive power), but also of modern human condition. A counterpoint expanding the reflection on the mundus imaginalis is the research of Jean-Jacques Wunenburger, who – using Corbin’s analyzes – emphasizes the multi-level and structural nature of both: the power of the imagination and its products. In these interpretations, the following questions seem to be crucial: What does the category of mundus imaginalis contribute to the understanding of the essence of imagination and of the human world of imaginations? Which approach to the imagination is associated with the recognition of this category? I try to answer these questions in the article.

Keywords

• philosophy of imagination
• Islamic philosophy
• mundus imaginalis
• Henri Corbin
• Jean-Jacques Wunenburger