University of Isfahan Metaphysics 2476-3276 17 39 2025 03 21 Examining the Two Sides of "General Awareness" and "Existential Meditation" in Reference to Self-Knowledge on Mulla Sadra's Philosophy Examining the Two Sides of "General Awareness" and "Existential Meditation" in Reference to Self-Knowledge on Mulla Sadra's Philosophy 133 144 28700 10.22108/mph.2024.141626.1565 FA Mohammah Hosin Kiani Assistant Professor of Ahl al -Bayt International University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2024 05 26 The theory of "self-knowledge" is one of the fundamental ideas in Mulla Sadra's philosophy, linking his philosophical perspectives with his mystical insights. In this regard, one can reflect on the necessity and importance of self-knowledge within the framework of the "philosophical way of life." Accordingly, the question posed by this article is: What is the relationship between self-knowledge and living philosophically? Or, more precisely, how can key philosophical concepts and aspects of everyday life compel a philosophy scholar toward the necessity of self-knowledge? The article hypothesizes that self-knowledge should be regarded as the foundation and prerequisite for engaging in a philosophical life. In this context, two factors reveal the significance of this issue most clearly: general awareness and existential suffering. These two aspects—“general awareness” and “existential suffering”—not only make self-knowledge imperative but also contribute to its realization. General awareness, as an epistemic aspect, refers to the nature of awareness, which always points to the being of the knower and the fact that the essence of awareness only becomes apparent in the context of self-knowledge and for the self-recognizing subject. Existential suffering, as a psychological aspect, draws on the nature of suffering, which always takes refuge in the direct experience of the self. It is within this framework that the presence of the self, which is necessary for achieving peace in a philosophical life, is realized. The theory of "self-knowledge" is one of the fundamental ideas in Mulla Sadra's philosophy, linking his philosophical perspectives with his mystical insights. In this regard, one can reflect on the necessity and importance of self-knowledge within the framework of the "philosophical way of life." Accordingly, the question posed by this article is: What is the relationship between self-knowledge and living philosophically? Or, more precisely, how can key philosophical concepts and aspects of everyday life compel a philosophy scholar toward the necessity of self-knowledge? The article hypothesizes that self-knowledge should be regarded as the foundation and prerequisite for engaging in a philosophical life. In this context, two factors reveal the significance of this issue most clearly: general awareness and existential suffering. These two aspects—“general awareness” and “existential suffering”—not only make self-knowledge imperative but also contribute to its realization. General awareness, as an epistemic aspect, refers to the nature of awareness, which always points to the being of the knower and the fact that the essence of awareness only becomes apparent in the context of self-knowledge and for the self-recognizing subject. Existential suffering, as a psychological aspect, draws on the nature of suffering, which always takes refuge in the direct experience of the self. It is within this framework that the presence of the self, which is necessary for achieving peace in a philosophical life, is realized. https://mph.ui.ac.ir/article_28700_b74ab18a710b74b987cdd0c7846afe57.pdf