Abstract

This article explores the issue of universals from three aspects as follows:1- The ontological aspects of universals;2- The epistemological aspects of universals;3- The psychological aspects or the philosophical psychology of universals.It is evident from Mulla Sadra's ideas that he completely differentiates between the intelligibles and the universals and believes in the multiplicity of intelligibles. One might infer a three-fold classification of universals and intelligibles on the basis of his works as represented below:1. Intelligibles: a. Primary b. Philosophical secondary c.Logical secondary2. Intelligibles: a. Essential b.c. Logical3. Intelligibles: a. Primary b. SecondarI.PhilosophicalII. Logical In the philosophical psychology of universals, Mulla Sadra refers to three theories withrespect to the acquisition of natural universals for man:A. The Theory of Transcendence or Ascending: According to this theory, when confronting external objects, man's soul creates an image of them by sense perception, imagination, and intellect. This theory also holds that the universal is not the same as weakened sensual or imaginal forms, as indicated in Hume's theories and those of others. In sum, the gist of the theory is that the particular transforms into the universal through transcendence and ascent.B. The Theory of the Contemplation of Ideas and Immutable Archetypes: Mulla Sadra has also discussed another viewpoint indicating that the sensual and imaginal perceptions are among the innovations of the soul, and the soul is considered as the agent of emanation in relation to them.C. The Theory of the Interference of the.Active Intellect: In some of his other philosophical deliberations, Mulla Sadra tries to prove the existence of the active intellect and refers to the source of emanation for the intelligent and the intelligible forms as the active intellect.