The Philosophical Archetype of the Orient (Persia) and Transmission to East-West Philosophy: The Philosophy of Erfan (Sufi)

Abstract

Persian philosophy, which exists in the middle ground between Eastern and Western philosophy, corresponds to philosophy as an archetype (root), and East-West philosophy is organically connected by that root. In Persian philosophy, Erfan (Mysticism) constitutes the most important field of philosophy. This is also related to the fact that Persia is called the home of mysticism (Sufism). In fact, the terms of Erfan and Sufism are sometimes used without distinction in domestic and foreign philosophy & literature. The foundation of philosophy in ancient Persia comes from Zoroaster (Zarathustra)’s philosophical thought. Some of his thought is related to Zoroastrian mysticism. His thought was divided into two axes: the theory of soul, and the theory of morality. The Sorush Yasht in the Avesta is the highest peak of mysticism in Persia. Sorush Yasht is a return to ‘Gatha mysticism’, and it is known that Gatha was written by Zoroaster. Here, the meaning of writing includes rewriting or correction. This study of the transmission of Eastern and Western philosophy, from ancient Greece to ancient China, focuses on the dual figures of Plato and Lao-tzu. They were the forerunners of mysticism in ancient Greek and Chinese philosophy, both greatly influenced by Zoroaster’s philosophical thought. For instance, in ancient Greece Plato was regarded as the resurrection and rebirth of Zoroaster. Persian philosophy as an archetype of philosophy is not well known in East-West philosophy, and there is a need to re-establish this connection as a new research area in the twenty-first century.