An Analysis of Mulla Sadra’s Thoughts on the Soul in the Context of Modern Mental Health

This research explores Mulla Sadra’s philosophical conception of the soul within his framework of Transcendent Theosophy (Hikmah al-Muta‘aliyah) and examines its relevance to modern understandings of mental health. Through a philosophical analysis employing textual, hermeneutical, and comparative methods, this study interprets Sadra’s key metaphysical concepts such as substantial motion (al-harakah al-jawhariyyah), the unity of existence (wahdat al-wujud), and the soul’s intellective perfection in dialogue with contemporary psychological frameworks, including the biopsychosocial model, humanistic psychology, and existential psychotherapy. The findings reveal that Sadra’s vision of the soul as a dynamic, evolving reality that ascends from corporeal origins toward spiritual perfection parallels modern ideas of personal growth, self-actualization, and holistic mental well-being. This research argues that mental illness can be philosophically understood as a stagnation or imbalance in the soul’s ontological movement toward higher existence, echoing psychological notions of arrested development or loss of meaning. The study further identifies integration points between Sadra’s metaphysical psychology and modern therapeutic paradigms, suggesting that his thought provides a conceptual foundation for incorporating spirituality into mental health practices. In conclusion, Mulla Sadra’s philosophy offers a profound bridge between metaphysical inquiry and psychological science, emphasizing inner transformation, self-awareness, and the unity of being as essential to mental and spiritual health. This synthesis contributes to ongoing efforts in cross-cultural psychology and spiritual therapy to develop more holistic models of human well-being that harmonize reason, emotion, and transcendence.