Possible Existent” in Ibn Sīnᾱ`s Kitāb al-Ishārāt wa-l-Tanbīhāt

Subject Areas : Philosophy

Received: 2016-10-19 Accepted : 2017-05-23 Published : 2017-11-22

Keywords: : Ibn Sīnᾱ, Kitāb al-Ishārāt wa-l-Tanbīhāt, Possible Existent, Necessary Existent, Ontology, Caused,

Abstract :

In the fourth subpart (namat) of Kitāb al-Ishārāt wa-l-Tanbīhāt,Ibn Sīnᾱ tries to prove the existence of a particular being, named “Necessary Existent”. There he also explains the central role of this being in the world, His relation to other beings, and His attributes. It is in this very framework that he discusses other beings, that is, only to glorify the “Necessary Existent”. Ibn Sīnᾱ believes that the “Necessary Existent”is the cause of existence and makes things exist. In his ontology, the possible existents, i.e. everything except the necessary being, are considered to be “caused”. In view of this, in the fourth subpart of Kitāb al-Ishārāt wa-l-Tanbīhāt as well, everything other than the “Necessary Existent” has been taken into consideration only as a caused thing or an effect.