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postgraduate in Islamic philosophy and theology in Allam Tabataae University
Abstract
The term copulative existence is used in three different ways: the first being of non-nominal meaning that belongs to propositions as connective element as opposed to propositional being in existential propositions which is nominal meaning i.e. taken by itself, it is conceivable with no other concept from without. In second usage copulative existence is taken as being in itself for other than itself. According to third usage which is coined by Mulla Sadra this term is taken to mean a dependent being as against independent existence in discussions of cause and effect. According to Mulla Sadra existence of all contingent beings is but the very existential poverty and a pure relation to the Cause. That is why they are called wojūd-e-rābet i.e. copulative being while earlier philosophers had deemed such beings as related to the cause or in their term wojūd-e-rābeti. The present article is to survey these three terms and gives a due attention to the explanation of copulative being in transcendent theosophy.
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