The desire to understand human nature and existence fuels the debate on the soul and its relationship to the body. Its location and function are issues worth evaluating. The debate started long ago with Aristotle and Plato trying to explain its fate when a person dies. So, do we have a soul? Let us take the next few paragraphs to find an answer.
Synonyms used to describe this third dimension of existence are spirit and mind. These words are easy to use because they represent untouchable and invisible forms. However, the mind is used in reference to intelligence while the spirit represents deeper feelings and the humanistic form. Biology, religion and metaphysics have waded into the debate at unique levels.
During creation in Genesis, God is said to have breathe life into clay. Christians thus believe that this is what gives human beings their souls. It is equated to life and therefore perishes when a human being dies. This is the same form that will face judgment from God and be the beneficiary of eternal life.
Early philosophers differed on its fate upon death. Plato thought that it only resided in the body and left at death. Aristotle claimed that it died as well and thus denying it existence afterwards. Whichever direction one takes, it is clear that they agree on existence.
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?
Biologists in trying to understand life and death dived into the debate about souls and spirits. Their entry point is what happens so that a person can be said to be dead. They consider souls as the third dimension beyond physical existence. While physical movement and existence can be explained as impulses from the brain, the initiating factor in this regard is what puzzles them.
The fate of souls and how they find their way into bodies is another point of discussion. According to religious teachings, souls come from God with a responsibility to guide morality. They also control the enjoyment of pleasure and guilt feeling. This could therefore be the element that sets human beings apart from animals. This is an indirect confirmation of existence.
All theories and fields of study have confirmed that souls exist. In all their discussions, they seem to agree that it is the basic factor in human existence and directs rationale and considerate human behavior. What remains unclear is how it finds its way into the body, what role it plays and what happens when a person dies. There is therefore no doubt about its existence.
Synonyms used to describe this third dimension of existence are spirit and mind. These words are easy to use because they represent untouchable and invisible forms. However, the mind is used in reference to intelligence while the spirit represents deeper feelings and the humanistic form. Biology, religion and metaphysics have waded into the debate at unique levels.
During creation in Genesis, God is said to have breathe life into clay. Christians thus believe that this is what gives human beings their souls. It is equated to life and therefore perishes when a human being dies. This is the same form that will face judgment from God and be the beneficiary of eternal life.
Early philosophers differed on its fate upon death. Plato thought that it only resided in the body and left at death. Aristotle claimed that it died as well and thus denying it existence afterwards. Whichever direction one takes, it is clear that they agree on existence.
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?
Biologists in trying to understand life and death dived into the debate about souls and spirits. Their entry point is what happens so that a person can be said to be dead. They consider souls as the third dimension beyond physical existence. While physical movement and existence can be explained as impulses from the brain, the initiating factor in this regard is what puzzles them.
The fate of souls and how they find their way into bodies is another point of discussion. According to religious teachings, souls come from God with a responsibility to guide morality. They also control the enjoyment of pleasure and guilt feeling. This could therefore be the element that sets human beings apart from animals. This is an indirect confirmation of existence.
All theories and fields of study have confirmed that souls exist. In all their discussions, they seem to agree that it is the basic factor in human existence and directs rationale and considerate human behavior. What remains unclear is how it finds its way into the body, what role it plays and what happens when a person dies. There is therefore no doubt about its existence.
About the Author:
If you are pondering the age old question "do we have a soul?" come to lifeageingandbeyond.com. You'll find a wide variety of blog topics on important subjects when you visit http://www.lifeageingandbeyond.com right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment