Transcendent Theosophy

Despite the scientific and technological progress seen in the human world today, we are witnessing the disproportionate growth of violence in human society. It is, thus, necessary to talk about tolerance in such a time. The purpose of this study is to examine tolerance within the framework of Sadra's philosophy. The theoretical foundations of tolerance in Transcendent Theosophy will be explained in four categories: epistemology, methodology, ontology, and anthropology. Though Sadra has been influenced by Aristotelian virtue ethics, he takes a step forward and analyzes tolerance from an ontological point of view, understanding it not as a merely moral virtue but as an ontological-existential perfection towards Godlikeness "ὁμοίωσις θεῷ" [homoiōsis theō] which is the very essence of wisdom. Tolerance and violence in Sadra’s philosophy constitute two pyramid-like structures reciprocally. The pyramid of tolerance has reason and justice at its pinnacle while on the top of the pyramid of violence lie ignorance and injustice. Thus, pro-tolerance behavior is resulted from a rational mindset and pro-violence behavior has its origin in ignorance and idiocy. Outcomes of tolerance are the increase of wisdom, social dignity, and influence on people while stagnation, social humility, and isolation result from violence. It is needless to say neither tolerance is always applauded nor violence is always despised. This is why one can speak of the wrath of God and His saints in a meaningful way. Rather it is because of the conditions and their relation with reason and ignorance that we can reach a judgment in this regard. The study is concluded by a reality-based account of Sadra's treatment of his opponents which is followed by an elaboration of his tolerance-centered approach.

Meaningfulness and meaninglessness are new philosophical problems confronting philosophers. Islamic philosophy, especially Transcendent Theosophy (Hikmat Muta'aliyah), as a philosophy concerned with identifying the truths of the world, is no exception and must offer a response to this issue. The aim of the present research was to reconstruct the viewpoint of Transcendent Theosophy on this problem using a descriptive-analytical method. Based on the principles of Transcendent Theosophy, the findings of the research can be explained as follows: Transcendent Theosophy considers meaningfulness and meaninglessness as philosophical second intelligibles (ma'qūlāt-e thāniyah falsafī) that can be abstracted from human life, and the goals present in human life lead to the abstraction of these concepts. Sadraian wisdom claims that the more real and harmonious the goals are with human life, the more meaningful human life will be. The solution proposed by Transcendent Theosophy in this regard is to return to human primordial nature and to redefine monotheistic goals and eternal life for humanity, as these concepts contribute to the meaningfulness of human life.