The Possibility of Explaining the Stability of Personal Identity on the Basis of Genomic Stability: A Study from the Perspective of Transcendent Philosophy (Hikmat al‑Muta’aliyah)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy and Islamic Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

2 Ph.D. Candidate in Philosophy and Islamic Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

Abstract

The persistence of personal identity amid continuous physical change is a central problem in the philosophy of mind and philosophical anthropology. This interdisciplinary study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to examine whether personal identity can be grounded in genomic stability and to delineate its status within Transcendent Theosophy (al-Ḥikmah al-Muta‘āliyah). Molecular genetics reveals that genomic stability does not denote material permanence, but rather an informational constancy in DNA nucleotide sequences; thus, it is compatible with cellular turnover and does not undermine the classical “body-exchange” argument (tabaddul al-badan). Furthermore, phenomena such as monozygotic twins, mosaicism, chimerism, and epigenetics demonstrate that genomic continuity or identity, while essential for biological individuation, is insufficient for personal identity. In Sadrian metaphysics, the zygote with a specific genome constitutes the material substrate for bodily genesis and the gradual origination of the soul (ḥudūth al-nafs). As the soul progresses through substantial motion (al-ḥarakah al-jawhariyyah) and existential intensification, it attains higher degrees, ultimately grounding personal identity. Consequently, while the genome fundamentally organizes the bodily dimension, the true foundation of personal identity resides in the immaterial soul.

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Journal of Philosophical Theological Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 05 October 2026

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