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Do we have a soul?
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Monism categorizes the soul and body as one

Monism asserts that the body and the soul are inextricably tied.

The Argument

Generally accredited to have begun with the philosophies of Aristotle, monism characterizes the soul and body as the same. In general, monism refers to the idea of one core entity. We are one entity made up of a body and soul working together to allow us to function. Based on monism, a person's essence is resultant and dependent upon their body. Experiences and personality, making up who the person is and their soul, are influenced and driven by physical events and perceptions. When the body dies, the soul does not have the ability to function independently, so there is no afterlife.[1]

Counter arguments

The body and soul should be viewed in a separate dualism approach. The soul is a spiritual thing that cannot be explained or tied to the physical body. The soul does interact with but doesn't rely upon the body, and they exist in separate spheres that coexist but are independent. After the death of the body, the soul remains functional in the afterlife.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] The soul and body coexist as a single entity. [P2] Since neither the soul nor body can exist independently of the other, the death of the body means permanent death for the soul as well.

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://revisionworld.com/a2-level-level-revision/religious-studies/philosophy-religion/life-after-death/distinctions-between-body-and-soul
This page was last edited on Saturday, 15 Aug 2020 at 01:16 UTC

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