Saturday, 7 March 2015

Do We Have A Soul?

By Leslie Ball


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.

Other names used to describe the concept of the soul are mind and spirit. Their similarity lies in the fact that they are both untouchable and invisible. However, the mind is said to refer more to intelligence with the spirit dealing with feelings. The search for an answer has sucked in biologists, metaphysics and religion.

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.

The discussions in ancient civilizations centered on its fate ones a person dies. According to Plato, it took residence in the body but flew away once a person dies. However, Aristotle did not buy into the duality in existence. According to him, the spirit died alongside the flesh. It is worth noting that they both agreed on existence and differed on fate.

The debate on whether animals have souls deepens the mystery. Do they think and feel like humans do and if this is the case, do they use souls? In the same light, is it possible to equate souls to life and what differences exist? The intelligence of animals is considered lower than that of human beings but their path in life is similar involving birth, life and death. Is this an indication that they too have souls?

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 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.

The existence of souls is not in doubt regardless of the theory one uses to explain it. By stitching the theories together, souls appear to be the defining factor in human existence and the instructor to be rational and considerate to humanity. The debate is when it enters the body, when it exits and its fate at death. The conclusion that souls exist in humanity is therefore confirmed.




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