Ibn Sina and the Theory of Ontological Distinction

2025-03-17T12:27:58+00:00

One of the most important achievements of Ibn Sina's ontology is the development and expansion of the theory of the distinction between existence and essence. This theory has its roots in the fundamental understanding of the difference between existence and being, which began with Al-Farabi and was expanded upon by Ibn Sina. Aristotle, through his essentialist thinking, did not pay attention to distinctions. Without a basic understanding of the essential meaning of existence, the theory of distinction cannot be proposed. The reason for the opposition of Ibn Rushd, Aquinas, and Duns Scotus to the theory of distinction, despite their influence from Ibn Sina, is the lack of precise understanding of the meaning of distinction and the occurrence of existence. In the Greek tradition, the term distinction refers to conceptual and logical distinction, whereas Ibn Sina, following Al-Farabi, has introduced ontological distinction. The Islamic philosophical tradition, due to its foundation on the authentic meaning of existence, differs from the Greek tradition regarding ontology. The important point is that for the first time, Ibn Sina was able to formulate the theory of existential distinction based on the question of the nature of existence and how essence is attributed to being.

In this article, we aim to clarify the relationship between Islamic philosophy and Greek tradition through a comparative study. Secondly, let us reveal the importance of the theory of distinction innovated by Ibn Sina. Thirdly, we should expose the influence of this theory on philosophers after him, especially Averroes and Aquinas. Fourth, we should discuss the fields of comparative study between Aristotle and Avicenna and explain the importance of Ibn Sina's perspective and his ontology system.

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Ibn Sina and the Theory of Ontological Distinction