Philosophy of Religion Research
The Doctrine of “Unity in Multiplicity and Multiplicity in Unity” and Its Role in Explaining Individual Unity of Existence
Document Type : Original Research
Author
Associate professor of Islamic Philosophy and wisdom, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.
Abstract
"Unity in multiplicity and multiplicity in unity" is an effectual doctrine in explaining the purposes of transcendental wisdom, particularly the unification (tawhid) of existence. Transcendental theosophers like mystics have emphasized this doctrine. For clarifying the different features of this issue, they have put the explanation of the monistic worldview in variegated expressions. Individual unity of existence utilizes justification, explanation, and argumentation to emphasize both unity and multiplicity in the same way. Each of These justifications is illuminating in divine wisdom under abbreviations or fundamental principles. Provided good explanations, essence (haqiqah) and thinness (raqiqah), apparent (Zahir) and manifester (Muzhir), and Simple Essence (Basit al-haqiqah) are those doctrines which are very illuminating in transcendental wisdom. Besides, the principle of "unity in multiplicity and multiplicity in unity" with distinct formulation, has been developed and led the audience to individual unity of existence. Picking some passages from Aqa Ali Modarres' writings and abrading them together, some amateurs in transcendental wisdom expressed that this doctrine in his philosophy is restricted to the gradation of existence and is in contrast to individual unity of existence. Reviewing the claims in these articles and finding the explanation of this doctrine among explicit sayings of Aqa Ali Modarres will pave the way for the sound understanding of transcendental theology.
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