Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Abstract

The "Great Pyramid of Being"(GPB) is the most fundamental ontological plan of traditional thought. According to this plan, being is consisted of a large chain of consecutive connection which extends from the most imperfect to the most perfect entity in a hierarchical order. Various readings of the GPB are based on different conceptions of being and its degrees. GPB is the basic assumption of all mythical, philosophical, religious, political and social systems, all default in the pre-modern period.
In this article, in order to provide a clear picture of GPB and its situation and gradual growth in the context of the history of ideas in the pre-modern era, firstly will be considered hierarchical order of being in the context of eastern religions and then in the context of Western thought and finally in the realm of Islamic philosophy specially according to Avicenna, Suhrawardi and Mulla Sadra’s ideas.
We are aimed to bring a comprehensive analysis of the role of GPB in composing the cosmic order in thought of pre-modern man.

Keywords