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An Analytical Approach to the Human Body… M.A. Saad & R. Bakhshayesh (33
and resembles any inanimate Azarian, 2021). It consists of
object (Mulla Ṣadrā, 1981). "matter" as the foundation and
The body represents the "form," and is primarily
material aspect of the soul, and examined in physics. Both matter
the unity of both is essential and form share a three-
for regulation and sustenance dimensional structure and are
(Mulla Ṣadrā, 2003). composed of the four elements
According to Transcendental (al-‘Anasir al-Arb‘ah) in various
Wisdom, the decline of the proportions (Ibid; Sheikh,
soul leads to the body's decline, 2019).
as the soul’s excessiveness is The material body exists in
linked to the body (Mulla the physical world, displaying
Ṣadrā, 1981). If the soul its effects and characteristics
diminishes, so does the body's (Mulla Ṣadrā, 1981). Mulla
existence, which depends on Ṣadrā viewed the material body
the soul’s connection and its as made up of metaphysical
excessiveness (Ibid). Mulla elements that are in conflict
Ṣadrā distinguishes between and tend toward separation and
the material body and the real disintegration (Ibid). These
body, the latter being devoid elements require the soul to
of natural characteristics and maintain their balance and
inherently connected to the pure unity (Mulla Ṣadrā, 2003).
origin (Ibid). He identifies According to Transcendental
three categories of the body, Philosophy, the material body
namely the material body, the is a composite entity with
subtle body, and a new category multiple facets and temporal
called the imaginal body. qualities, marked by transient
and unreal perceptible parts
1. Material Body susceptible to decay (Mulla
The material body is a Ṣadrā, 1981; Zamaniha &
composite entity of matter and Yavari, 2018).
form, relying on matter for its
existence (Mulla Ṣadrā, 1981;
