The Role of Action in Rational Knowledge According to Mulla Sadra and Qurchaghai Khan

Abstract

This study examines the role of action and its impact on the rational philosophical knowledge of ʿAli Quli ibn Qurchaghai Khan and Mulla Sadra. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the epistemological elements of each of these philosophers and to explore their differences and similarities in explaining the role of action in cognitive processes. According to Mulla Sadra, knowledge is attained progressively through three levels: sensory, imaginal, and rational, achieved through the substantial motion of the human soul. He emphasizes the role of action in the abstraction of the intellect and its influence on acquiring knowledge. In contrast, Qurchaghai Khan considers knowledge as a form of direct and intrinsic cognition, obtained through the light of reason and connection with the imaginal realm. This study demonstrates that while both philosophers emphasize the gradation of knowledge, fundamental differences exist in their explanations of the source and process of cognition. The conclusion of this study clarifies the similarities and differences in the influence of action on the epistemological discussions of these two thinkers in the context of rational epistemology and its impact on our understanding of human intellectual and moral perfection.