اصل تفرد

The Principle of Individuation

The principle of individuation is one of the most important principles of metaphysics. Any being is either pure form or a mixture of matter and form. But this being possesses individuation as well. Can this individuation be attributed to its form or matter? The present article intends to discuss this principle in its historical context from Aristotle to Sadr-al- Motalehin in brief and demonstrate that, in spite of different interpretations, all philosophers and commentators should view the criterion of distinction and individuation of a being as to be its form and not its being.