What is soul?

In unit 1 of the Forbidden Books course, which is called Politics, the class went over the past civilizations of ancient Greece, studied books that were once banned, and also went over many vocabulary words that were unfamiliar, but important when discussing all those topics. We also learned about Socrates, a Greek philosopher, who is also known as being the founder of western philosophy. Although he never wrote down any of his principles or ideas, we were still able to understand them through the writing of his student Plato. Socrates and his ideas were considered "dangerous", and therefore led to his death, because he was no longer able to share or practice his own principles. There is also a method named after him named the Socratic Method. It's a discussion between two people filled with questions that require deep, critical thinking. That also plays a big role on why many people were not a fan of Socrates. They wouldn't enjoy being asked questions, because sometimes they wouldn't have all the answers. For this action project, the class was assigned to create a dialogue following the Socratic Method, while discussing a theme or question. I decided to to discuss the question "What is Soul"? The human soul has always interested me, and leaves me with some deep questions that I'm still trying to find answers to, so I thought it would be interesting to follow the Socratic Method, while going over this question. Although interesting, it was still challenging trying to come up with some deep critical questions, but as I was getting more into it, the questions came more naturally. Thanks to this unit and project, I now know why some writers’ work can be considered "dangerous" and how to involve some deep thinking in discussions. I hope you enjoy the discussion below!

P- Hey! What are you doing?

V- Nothing much. Just reading Chicken Noodle Soup for the soul.

P- For the soul? Do you even know what a soul is?

V- Everyone knows that it’s something inside you, that makes you unique from everybody else, and when your body finally dies and shuts down, it wanders.

P-Yes, but the word “soul” in Hebrew literally means “a creature that breathes”, and in Greek it means an “entire being”, it’s not something inside you, it is you! So it would be impossible for your soul to wander, right?

V- Well If you put it that way, no it wouldn't, but I’m sure it has to go somewhere, when face to face with death.

P- Not necessarily. Even though I have never experienced a near death event, or have been in a comatose state, I find it hard to believe that some people claim to have seen their bodies, while watching as their soul. Because if their soul were to really escape, that means there is absolutely nothing left of them, which makes them dead. They might still be able to hear and even feel things as their brain is still alive though. So tell me, would it really be possible for your soul to wander once the body is dead?

V- Well no. And if you were to look at the definition of the word soul it has the word “living” or “breathes”.


P- Exactly! Have you noticed the term “brain dead”?

V- Yes I have, but I have always wondered why it’s called that.


P- Wouldn't it just be better to pronounce someone officially dead, rather than brain dead, since the mind is what guides us? Well that comes to show that there’s something else in our body that’s keeping us alive. The erasure of the mind might stop us from feeling and remembering, but your heart is still pumping, which means you’re still living. It isn't until the body completely shuts down, that the soul dies.


V- It’s nice to know that we are more than just the outcome of brain neurons working together.

P- Of course we are. Although the mind can be controlling at times, sometimes we have to separate ourselves from it, and follow other major parts of the soul.

V- What would those be though?

P- Your heart, body, actions, emotions, passions, breath and way of thinking. Those all make up the human soul.

V- So I AM a soul, without my body, there wouldn't be a soul.