Definition
A religious and philosophical notion, according to traditions, designating the principle of life, the deep identity or a spiritual reality distinct from the body.
The soul is a religious and philosophical notion that designates, according to traditions, the principle of life, the deep identity, the spiritual dimension or what survives death. Concepts vary greatly: personal and immortal soul, vital breath, psychic principle, or rejection of the idea of a permanent self.
To be retained
- Presenting the soul as a notion of tradition
- Compare designs without merging them
- Distinguish Belief, Philosophy and Psychology
- Not to present it as an established scientific fact
Origin of the term and context
Latin anima refers to the breath and the vital principle. The notions of soul, d的ātman, psyche or nefesh are not strictly equivalent.
Why does it matter?
Talking about the soul requires a distinction between belief, metaphor, philosophy and scientific knowledge. Its existence as a separate entity is not established empirically.
- Provide a framework for the sense of existence
- Structure some conceptions of death
- Feeding religious and philosophical practices
- Not measurable by current scientific methods
How can I practice it?
- Specify the meaning used
- Compare without assimilating traditions
- Distinguish symbolic language and factual statement
- Respecting beliefs without imposing them
Misconceptions and points of caution
- Not all religions conceive the soul in the same way.
- Buddhism generally teaches the permanent absence of self.
- No subjective experience alone proves a separate soul.
Perspectives from different traditions
- Christianity: a soul created and destined to God according to doctrines.
- Hinduism: ātman, with various interpretations.
- Buddhism: anattā, critique of a permanent self.
To go further
- From the Soul — Aristotle
- Self and Non-Self — Comparative Readings