B601; The Soul Flashcards
What is Plato’s Dualism?
Plato said that the soul is distinct from the body and both are capable of existing
separately. He said that the soul is immortal, unchanging and directs the body.
Plato also stated that the soul pre-existed the body and that death separates the two. He
said that the soul had three parts that acted in balance
What were the three parts that acted in balance?
The logos - The mind and reason
The thymos - The emotions
The pathos - Carnal appetites (Hunger, Sex)
What does Modern Psychology teach about the soul?
Modern psychology tends to ignore or deny the existence of the soul. Psychologists talk of
the ‘self’ which is what makes people individuals. They believe that this ‘self’ is your
behaviour, your personality and decisions are formed from what you have learnt before. It
is your conscious state but is not an entity in itself.
What do scientists/materialists teach about the soul?
For materialists humans are nothing more than the sum total of their parts. We have
evolved to the stage where we have a sense of right and wrong but this is a survival tool.
That fact we have a ‘mind’ is a token to how amazing evolution is.
What is a quote about the Christian belief in the soul?
The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the
breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
What do they believe that the soul is?
A reflection of God within human beings. Other creatures do not possess this, meaning human life is sacred
What is a quote in Genesis 1:27 that talks about human beings?
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female
he created them. Genesis 1:27
What other beliefs do they have regarding the soul?
It is a part of human nature that isn’t phsyical and cannot be observed. It is the part of humans that is immortal meaning that when are bodies die, our souls still live on
What is a quote that speaks of our spiritual bodies?
So it will be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable…it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. Corinthians 15:42 and 44
What do Christians believe about conflict over mind and soul?
They believe the soul is the Spiritual aspect of humanity that affects the physical you. Often the soul and body are in conflict, the body will want to be satisfied but the soul will want to please God. They also believe that our soul is what keeps us close and allows us to relate to God.
