Abstract

According to the principle of 'From the ones is not emanated but the one', only one being is emanated from God, Who is One in all respects. Now, considering the existence of many beings in the world, one might ask, 'How could we attribute them to that Single Being?Suhrawardi posed the theory of horizontal intellects to explain the emanation of many material beings. This theory is inspired by Plato's theory of the Ideas. Horizontal intellects consist of a chain of separated lights which are at the end of vertical intellects and parallel to each other. In other words, they stand in no cause-effect relation to each other. Each of the horizontal intellects is the archetype of a material species and responsible for the making and formation of its individuals. Ontologically speaking, horizontal intellects are caused by vertical lights, as well as by contingent lights, directions, reciprocities, and existing relations in the world of lights, sensibles, and souls. Suspended images, too, are caused by horizontal lights.In Ishraqi philosophy, intuitive perception, which is based on the knowledge by presence, is the main road leading to perception. In fact, the soul perceives through the intuitive perception of horizontal intellects. Rational perception is also a consequence of intuitive perception of such intellects. Sense perception refers back to the knowledge by presence. Horizontal intellects play the role of manifesting the forms before the soul.