Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy and Gender of Women and Family Studies Research Center, University of Religions and Denominations
10.30473/pms.2026.74941.2148
Abstract
As a cornerstone of ancient natural philosophy and medicine, the theory of temperament has significantly influenced issues within psychology.Temperament is a uniform and intermediate quality that results from the combination and blending of the four elements. Employing a descriptive-analytical method, this research first addresses the conceptual foundations of temperament. It then explores the applications of this theory within Sadra's psychology, specifically in matters such as the origination of the soul, the distinction between soul and temperament, the incorporeality of the soul, the necessity of the sense of touch, and constituting and maintaining the fetal temperament. The findings reveal that the theory of temperament in Sadra's psychology fulfills three primary roles: problem formulation, descriptive function, and probative function. Finally, the methodological challenges associated with utilizing this empirical theory in philosophical inquiries are analyzed. The conclusion reached is that while the application of the theory of temperament is justifiable in certain contexts, such as problem framing and descriptive accounts, its use in demonstrative arguments faces methodological difficulties due to the non-apodictic nature of its empirical premises.
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