The puzzle about the soul revolves around its location and its work in human existence. The discussion began with early philosophers like Aristotle and Plato. They differed on whether it dies or takes another form and continues to live when a person passes on. Do we have a soul? The answer to this question lies in the few paragraphs below.
It is common to equate the soul with the mind. Both are not tangible but while one is more about intelligence, the other deals with conscience. Their interchangeable use arises from the fact that both are not physical and therefore are deductions from human existence. Metaphysics, biology and religion define the term differently.
Religion assigns the entry of the spirit to the moment of creation. God in Genesis breathe life into the newly sculptured clay mold to bring it to life. This equated souls to life which meant that they died with the body. Because it is responsible for good and bad deeds it enjoys the rewards of eternal life and condemnation in eternal fire.
In ancient civilizations, Plato argued that human souls resided in the body when people are alive. Upon death, it flies away leaving the flesh to decompose. Aristotle on the other hand insisted that souls die with bodies making them one and the same existence. There is yet to be clarity on what happens when one dies and what form the spirit takes.
When the discussion shifts to animals having or not having souls, it becomes confusing. Some theories suggest that they also have feelings and think like human beings. The fact that their life cycles are similar to that of human beings is worth noting. While they are considered less intelligent, they also display an existence beyond the physical. Could this suggest that souls are not only reserved for human beings?
According to biologists, there is more to life than physical cells. They contend that this is the factor that differentiates a dead and living being. In that light, they acknowledge the existence of a form that is not physical and that could be used to describe human beings. Biologists explain human movement as impulse from the brain but while that is physical and tangible, there is a dimension that cannot be explained in physical terms.
The ownership and form of existence of souls provides an answer on the debate. Religion claims that it is owned by God and responsible for morality. It is the part that feels guilt, pleasure and instructs a person to do well. These are attributes that are thought to be absent in animals. This is therefore considered to be the differentiating factor between humans and animals.
Whichever point of view one buys, it is clear that human beings possess souls. It can be considered as the life or the nature of humanity and a defining factor considering that human beings are rational and inclined to do good. Its point of entry into and exit from the body are the differing factors. What is not in doubt is that human being have a third dimension that provide feelings and a considerate nature.
It is common to equate the soul with the mind. Both are not tangible but while one is more about intelligence, the other deals with conscience. Their interchangeable use arises from the fact that both are not physical and therefore are deductions from human existence. Metaphysics, biology and religion define the term differently.
Religion assigns the entry of the spirit to the moment of creation. God in Genesis breathe life into the newly sculptured clay mold to bring it to life. This equated souls to life which meant that they died with the body. Because it is responsible for good and bad deeds it enjoys the rewards of eternal life and condemnation in eternal fire.
In ancient civilizations, Plato argued that human souls resided in the body when people are alive. Upon death, it flies away leaving the flesh to decompose. Aristotle on the other hand insisted that souls die with bodies making them one and the same existence. There is yet to be clarity on what happens when one dies and what form the spirit takes.
When the discussion shifts to animals having or not having souls, it becomes confusing. Some theories suggest that they also have feelings and think like human beings. The fact that their life cycles are similar to that of human beings is worth noting. While they are considered less intelligent, they also display an existence beyond the physical. Could this suggest that souls are not only reserved for human beings?
According to biologists, there is more to life than physical cells. They contend that this is the factor that differentiates a dead and living being. In that light, they acknowledge the existence of a form that is not physical and that could be used to describe human beings. Biologists explain human movement as impulse from the brain but while that is physical and tangible, there is a dimension that cannot be explained in physical terms.
The ownership and form of existence of souls provides an answer on the debate. Religion claims that it is owned by God and responsible for morality. It is the part that feels guilt, pleasure and instructs a person to do well. These are attributes that are thought to be absent in animals. This is therefore considered to be the differentiating factor between humans and animals.
Whichever point of view one buys, it is clear that human beings possess souls. It can be considered as the life or the nature of humanity and a defining factor considering that human beings are rational and inclined to do good. Its point of entry into and exit from the body are the differing factors. What is not in doubt is that human being have a third dimension that provide feelings and a considerate nature.
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