From two kinds to five: In Session 2 we learned that a meaning is either Kulli or Juz'i. Now we go deeper: every Kulli concept falls into exactly one of five categories.
Why exactly five: Why exactly five, and not more or fewer? When a universal concept is predicated of a thing, it relates to that thing in exactly one of five logically possible ways: as its essential genus, as its specific nature, as its essential distinguishing quality, as its exclusive necessary property, or as a common quality it shares with others.
No sixth possibility: Aristotle proved no sixth possibility exists, and Muzaffar confirmed this in Al-Mantiq, Chapter 3. The five are:
- Al-Jins (Genus) — the broad category covering multiple species. It answers "What family?". Example: Hayawan (Animal) for human, horse, dog.
- Al-Naw' (Species) — the specific kind with the same essential nature. It answers "What kind exactly?". Example: Insan (Human) — all and only humans.
- Al-Fasl (Differentia) — the essential quality distinguishing this species from others. It answers "What makes it unique?". Example: Natiq (Rational) distinguishes human from horse.
- Al-Khassah (Property) — always and only belongs to this species, but is not part of the essence. It answers "What exclusively follows?". Example: Qabil lil-Dahk (capable of laughter) — always human, only human.
- Al-'Aradh al-'Aam (General Accident) — belongs to this species but also to others, and not always. It answers "What sometimes accompanies?". Example: Abyad (white) — some humans, but also snow, paper, milk.
Example
Insan, through all five: The central example of the whole session is Insan (human), analysed through all five: Jins = Hayawan (Animal); Naw' = Insan (Human); Fasl = Natiq (Rational); Khassah = Qabil lil-Dahk (capable of laughter); 'Aradh 'Aam = Abyad (white — for some humans).
Key Terms
- Al-Kulliyat al-Khams (الکلیات الخمس) — the Five Universals
- Jins (الجنس) — genus
- Naw' (النوع) — species
- Fasl (الفصل) — differentia
- Khassah (الخاصة) — property
- 'Aradh 'Aam (العرض العام) — general accident
Quran or Hadith
None on this slide.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Five-column comparison table: the five universals, each with its question, its Insan example, and whether it is used in definition. To be drawn in Project Desk colours.
- In Session 2 we learned that a meaning is either Kulli or Juz'i.
- The central example of the whole session is Insan (human), analysed through all five: Jins = Hayawan (Animal); Naw' = Insan (Human); Fasl = Natiq (Rational); Khassah = Qabil lil-Dahk (capable of laughter); 'Aradh 'Aam = Abyad (white — for some humans).
- Al-Jins (Genus); Al-Naw' (Species); Al-Fasl (Differentia); Al-Khassah (Property); Al-'Aradh al-'Aam (General Accident).