The Sacred Knowledge and Science: Metaphysical Analysis and its Distinctions with Philosophy from the Standpoint of Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Traditionalists

Abstract

Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, the greatest living traditionalist philosopher in contemporary world, has defined a fundamental element as a principle for Sophia Perennis which is metaphysical distinction between Intellectus and Ratio. To him, The Sacred Knowledge is the fruit of Divine Intuitive Intelligence but Science or Modern Philosophical Schools is the result of human Rational Faculty, thus distinguishes The Sacred Knowledge, by clarification of its inherent essence, from Philosophy. According to him, the Ratio is the reflection and reverberation of Universal Intellect upon human mind and thus the logical rationalization is purely the formal and exterior expression of The Subject from experience of The Object which is metaphysical Reality and is prior to Ratio and Subject Itself who processing the act of Reasoning. The outcome of Nasr’s argumentum is the ‘Illuminative’ and Donated characteristics of Sacred Knowledge which diffuses from Universal Origin upon the human Hearts, the seat of Intelligence, unlike philosophy which is attainable by acquisition. Mystically speaking, the Sacred Knowledge is as ‘State’ and not as ‘Station’, thus it is considered as ‘The Bestowals’ not ‘The Earnings’. Referring to the essential works by Nasr and other Traditionalists, in this article which has been done in analytical-descriptive method, first we analyze the metaphysical principles of the Sacred Knowledge which is the Traditional Oriental Metaphysics both in East and West and then study its relationship with Philosophy and Theology.