Abstract

The present article aims to develop an analysis of the three ways in which the Muslim philosopher Abu Nasr al-Fārābī identifies the first principles of reality, namely: ontologically, cosmologically, and epistemologically. This proposal considers al-Fārābī’s philosophical categories to avoid potential confusion regarding the different ways the philosopher approaches the concepts of first principles. To this end, an examination of the three approaches will be conducted, following the exposition of the six principles (the First Cause, the Secondary Causes, the Agent Intellect, the Soul, form, and matter) according to the hierarchical sequence present within al-Fārābī’s philosophy. Along this line, in addition to studies on al-Fārābī’s thought, the analysis will emphasize the content found primarily in The Virtuous City (Mabādi’ arā ahl al-madīna al-fāḍila), The Book of Politics (Kitāb al-siyāsa al-madanīyya), and The Aphorisms of Political Science (Fusūl al-madanī) by al-Fārābī.