Document Type : Original Article
Author
Associate professor Department of Political Philosophy, Research Center for Political Thought and Sciences, Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy, Qum, Iran
10.48308/piaj.2024.235624.1531
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction: hikmaht-e mutaāliyah (Transcendent Philosophy) is a branch of Islamic philosophy where the foundational concept is "the primacy of existence" (Asālat al-Wujūd). This concept serves as a meta-language for the entire philosophical framework, acting as the underlying principle governing all issues, claims, theories, and arguments within this system. The primary goal of this article is to explain the nature of "political action" in accordance with the meta-language of the primacy of existence. In this existential explanation, it is demonstrated that political action becomes one with the "self" of the actor, and it is this unity of political action with the "self" that gives it meaning.
Methods:The method employed in this article is an existential explanation. Existential explanation is a type of philosophical reasoning consistent with the meta-language of the primacy of existence, wherein human phenomena are explained by referring to the ontological characteristics of the individual or collective "self." In this article, based on this explanatory method, the process of political action—from the initial intention of creation by an actor or the collective consensus of political actors to its ultimate realization in human life—is explained based on the inherent needs of these actors. Moreover, the meaning of political action is examined according to the individual intention or collective purpose of the political actor.
Results and discussion: The first result of this article is that political action is an institutional action. Therefore, it has three characteristics: stability, continuity and homogeneity. This is because political action, following the intention of the actor or the collective consensus of actors, permeates the individual or collective "self" of the actors. The second result of this article is that from the perspective of the meta-language of the primacy of existence, every political action is considered an "expanded existence" of individual action. By "expanded existence," it is meant that political action, with a singular existence, manifests in the individual actions of all political actors. The plurality of actors and their individual characteristics do not conflict with the existential unity of political action. As a result, in a political interaction, each of the political actors, in addition to their individual existence, has a transpersonal and common existence with other political actors. It is this expanded and shared existence that is the subject of political action, distinguishing it from individual action. Another result of this article is that political action is a meaningful phenomenon from the point of view of the primacy of existence. The meaningfulness of political action lies in uncovering the hidden meaning within it and conveying that meaning to others. Thus, political action, from an existential perspective, is akin to speaking. Just as speaking reveals the hidden meaning in one's mind and communicates it to the mind of the listener, political action, in existential explanation, relates to something real and true, which is the uncovering of the inner intentions of the political actor(s).
Conclusions: Political action, due to its stability, continuity, and homogeneity, becomes part of the actor's existence and realizes their existential status. Political action derives its meaning from its connection to the "self" of the actor, obtaining this meaning from individual intentions and collective consensus. Furthermore, collective political interaction among actors leads to the formation of a political identity.
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