23rd NatChat : Sheikh Ishraq and Platonists
The 23rd NatChat streamed an interview with Dr. Rahmati, researcher of Suhrawardi’s works. The session was moderated by Dr. Abdolmahdi Mostakin, head of the culture department of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO.
At the beginning of the session, Dr. Mostakin spoke about Dr. Rahmati’s researches in the field of Islamic and Western philosophy, especially works of “Henry Corbin”.
Then he asked Dr. Rahmati why Corbin fell in love with the thoughts of Sheikh Shahab Suhrawardi despite the sensuality of Western tradition? What was the achievement of this young Iranian genius?
In response to this question, Dr. Rahmati said: “it is better to answer this question by refereeing to Corbin’s sentences: “I was born Platonic,” he says. Of course, the secret of eternal choices cannot be explained.” In other words, Corbin believes that we have made choices in the eternal world. Corbin’s view is similar to what is explained in Shiite thought as the “Covenant of Alast.” In fact, Corbin believed in the life of the soul before living in this world. One of the attractions of Suhrawardi and the Shiite tradition for Henry Corbin is the common idea that we, humans, have also lived before our physical life. In this regard, Corbin says that he was born Platonic and chose Platonic life in his eternal life.”
Dr. Rahmati continued: “Corbin was very careful in introducing Suhrawardi to the West. In other words, if Corbin had introduced Suhrawardi as a philosopher, he would be understood in the West as other philosophers. Therefore, he used the terms of Scholastic school, such as “Theosophy” or “Divine Wisdom”. This term, of course, is different from “Wisdom”, which is the same as practical wisdom. Corbin has used “Divine Wisdom” as a kind of “wisdom” which leads to salvation. It is worth noting that this wisdom does not in any way mean isolation from the world. Rather, it seeks to explain our position in this world.”
Dr. Rahmati said: “in Corbin’s view, we are not only seeking to prove the existence of God, but also to live with God. Accordingly, proving the existence of God is the first step, but then we must find a way to communicate with God. Even proving the existence of the “soul” is not enough. It is necessary to pay attention to where the soul goes after death.”
He said: “when Corbin coined the term “Iranian Islam”, he was referring to a kind of Illuminationism that has been seen in the works of Sheikh Ishraq, Hafiz and others. In Corbin’s view, this kind of thinking, which has only flourished in Iran, is a real wisdom and genuine thought.”
