Explanation of the sixth type of composition, which is the composition of essence
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The reader: "But if they are united in consideration, then the very existence of the thing is its essence, not a second thing
Who says anything other than this has spoken a kind of nonsense"
The Shaykh : "Nonsense." This is also a type among the philosophers: the composition of essence and existence. This composition is false because the essence is the very existence of the thing, for it is inconceivable to have an essence without existence, except in the mind. The mind may conceive of an essence without existence, just as it conceives of the coexistence of two contradictories and the absence of both, even though that is impossible in external reality. And yet the philosophers call this type a composition, whereas in reality it is not a composition, because the essence is the existence of the thing. Is it possible to have an essence without existence? No, and it is not possible to have existence without an essence, except in the mind. The mind may conceive, for example, of an essence without existence, but this is not to be considered, because the mind may posit the impossible as if it were possible. Yes.
Who says anything other than this has spoken a kind of nonsense"
The Shaykh : "Nonsense." This is also a type among the philosophers: the composition of essence and existence. This composition is false because the essence is the very existence of the thing, for it is inconceivable to have an essence without existence, except in the mind. The mind may conceive of an essence without existence, just as it conceives of the coexistence of two contradictories and the absence of both, even though that is impossible in external reality. And yet the philosophers call this type a composition, whereas in reality it is not a composition, because the essence is the existence of the thing. Is it possible to have an essence without existence? No, and it is not possible to have existence without an essence, except in the mind. The mind may conceive, for example, of an essence without existence, but this is not to be considered, because the mind may posit the impossible as if it were possible. Yes.