The Existential Principles in Transcendental Wisdom as a Foundation for Peace Studies

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to extract the theoretical principles related to peace in the philosophy of Mullā Sadrā and to show the practical and pragmatic potentials of his philosophy in this regard. The method of study is descriptive analysis and the results showed that one of the root causes of violence and war is the differences among humans. These differences are meaningful only in plurality so Mullā Sadrā believes that essence is at the root of plurality. On the other hand, based on his important philosophical principle that is existentialism, he regards the essence credential existing only in mind while what constitutes reality in the external world is called existence and is common between all creatures. What causes disagreement and thus leads to violence and quarrel is something that has no essence and, in other words, is credential. On the other hand, the world of unity in the view of Mullā Sadrā is the world of oneness, harmony, and peace because all the things that are seemingly different and sometimes contradictory, are indeed dimensions of a single truth and thus a part from a unified whole. The focus of Mullā Sadrā’s ontological viewpoint on spiritual-substantive commonality between creatures and the current of a unified truth in them all can be considered as an important foundation to place them in a framework in which a unifying circle ensures their convergence despite their differences and distinctions. This convergence can be regarded as a theoretical tenet for deriving the concept of peace and peace studies from Mullā Sadrā’s philosophy.

Keywords

• existentialism
• unity of being
• peace studies
• mullā sadrā
• violence