RETHINKING PROPOSITIONS BEYOND TAUTOLOGY: AL-SUHRAWARDĪ ON THE ONTOLOGICAL BASIS OF PROPOSITIONS

Abstract

This study examines Shih & amacr;b al-D & imacr;n al-Suhraward & imacr;'s ontological critique of tautology within his Illuminationist philosophy. Al-Suhraward & imacr; challenges the Aristotelian view of tautologies such as A is A as meaningful, arguing that they lack epistemic value by failing to distinguish between the subject and predicate. His essence-based ontology demands that valid propositions involve distinct concepts fulfilling different epistemic roles. Tautologies, by collapsing this distinction, do not yield true judgment. This research analyzes al-Suhraward & imacr;'s position through his primary texts and a comparative reading of select medieval commentators. Methodologically, it combines close textual analysis with historical interpretation to show how his metaphysics shapes his logic. This study contributes to two areas: it repositions al-Suhraward & imacr; as a critical figure in the history of logic and metaphysics, and it offers a conceptual framework that bridges logical form with ontological substance, highlighting the continued relevance of his thought to contemporary debates in logic, semantics, and the foundations of meaningful judgment.