Abstract

According to Mulla Sadra's theory of the principiality of existence, the concept of existence is a self-evident concept which directly occurs to mind. Confirming the evidence of the concept of existence itslf is also self-evident. This idea is shared by both Mulls Sadra and Heidegger, since this western philosopher,too, believes that existence is a fundamental concept to which all concepts could be reduced. Their other commonality is the meticulous distinction they make between the two descriptive and actual forms of existence.In Mulla Sadra's view, unlike the concept of existence,the reality of existence is ultimately hidden and evades direct conceptualization. Therefore, it could not be perceived as anything other than the "direct data of the innersense". Heidegger,too, believes that in spite of its sell-evidence at the level of a priori perception, existence will remain an ambiguous concept.Mulla Sadra maintains that it is existence and not quiddity which is principial. In the west,too, existential philosophies, in spite of their numerous differences, comprise a unitary school of thought, called existentialism. This fact indicates that in both the east and the west, the idea of the principiality of existence is an original and inclusive one and, particularly in Islamic philosophy, involves confessing the Oneness of The Most High.