The role of light in architecture based on Sohrawardi's aesthetics and its relationship with Plato's theory of beauty

Imanizadeh Sharifpour, Maryam; Mousavi Moghaddam, Seyed Rahmatollah; Zamani, Seyed Sadegh

doi:10.22034/ijumes.2025.2056008.1297

The role of light in architecture based on Sohrawardi's aesthetics and its relationship with Plato's theory of beauty

Document Type : Case Study

Authors

Maryam Imanizadeh Sharifpour ¹

Seyed Rahmatollah Mousavi Moghaddam ²

Seyed Sadegh Zamani ³

¹ Ph.D. Student in Philosophy of Art, Sanandaj branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran

² Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Medicine University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran

³ Department of philosophy of art, Faculty of Sanandaj branch of Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran

10.22034/ijumes.2025.2056008.1297

Abstract

This article delves into the comparative analysis of light aesthetics within Suhrawardi’s philosophy of illumination and Plato’s theory of beauty. Both philosophers regard light as fundamental to understanding truth and beauty, highlighting its interconnectedness with love and knowledge. In his Theory of Forms, Plato views physical beauty as merely a reflection of the absolute beauty that exists in the realm of ideas, which can be grasped through reasoning and dialectical thought. Conversely, Suhrawardi perceives beauty as a direct manifestation of divine light and champions an intuitive, mystical approach to its recognition. This study also examines the insights of key interpreters such as Henry Corbin and Gholamhossein Dinani, illuminating both the congruences and divergences between these philosophical approaches. Furthermore, it analyzes their influence on Islamic art and contemporary artistic expressions. Suhrawardi’s notion of light as a vital link between the sensory realm and divine truth has significantly enriched spiritual experiences within visual arts, serving as a conduit for deeper understanding and transformative encounters. Overall, the interplay of light in these philosophies reveals profound implications for artistic creation and appreciation in both historical and modern contexts.

Keywords

Aesthetics

forms

Illuminations philosophy

Intuition

light

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