Examining Avicenna’s Ontology from the Perspective of Contemporary Metaphor Theory

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Ministry of Education

2 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Wisdom, Research Core of Health Studies (RCHS), Hakim Sabzevari University

3 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Wisdom, Hakim Sabzevari University

10.22061/orj.2025.2385

Abstract


This paper analyzes Avicenna’s ontology using cognitive semantics, particularly through the lens of conceptual metaphor theory. Conceptual metaphor theory posits that abstract concepts become comprehensible through systematic mappings from concrete and experiential domains. The present study demonstrates that Avicenna employs metaphorical structures to elucidate concepts such as existence, essence, possibility, and causality, expressed through his distinct philosophical language and specialized terminology. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical method, this article identifies and examines five foundational metaphors in Avicenna’s philosophical writings: "Existence as a building façade," "Possibility as a scale," "Existence as property," "Existence as a container," and "Existence as light." It argues that Avicenna’s ontological framework is structured on coherent conceptual mappings. This research further highlights that metaphors in Islamic philosophy transcend mere linguistic usage, serving instead as cognitive tools essential for explicating the conceptual structures inherent in philosophical thought.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Ontological Researches
Volume 14, Issue 27 - Serial Number 27
September 2025
Pages 217-250

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