Ma`aref-e Manteqi

Intrinsic attribution is an important and widely used concept in the definition, demonstration, and classification of sciences, the issue, however, "What is the criterion for dividing intrinsic attributes from extrinsic attributes?" has long been a matter of debate. Examining Aristotle's perspective as a scholar who influenced Muslim philosophers and the one who first used the term intrinsic attributes, and the explanation provided in the tradition of Islamic philosophy and logic, is of particular importance. In this article, two issues will be examined: one is "Aristotle's view on intrinsic attributes" and the other is "Al-Farabi's explanation of Aristotle's view on this matter." Aristotle used the term intrinsic attributes, but did not state any definition, criteria, or conditions for it; however, Al-Farabi provided an explanation of Aristotle's view on intrinsic attribute, according to which "intrinsic attribute is a predicate, its subject is taken in its definition." In this article, by using an analytical-critical method the foundations of the aforementioned explanation and the challenges that may arise against it are discussed.