Soul

The soul, in many mythological, religious, philosophical, and psychological traditions, is the incorporeal and, in many conceptions, immortal essence of a person, living thing, or object. According to some religions (including the Abrahamic religions in most of their forms), souls—or at least immortal souls capable of union with the divine—belong only to human beings. For example, the Catholic theologian Thomas Aquinas attributed "soul" (anima) to all organisms but taught that only human souls are immortal. Other religions (most notably Jainism) teach that all biological organisms have souls, and others further still that even non-biological entities (such as rivers and mountains) possess souls. This latter belief is called animism. Anima mundi and the Dharmic Ātman are concepts of a "world soul."

Soul can function as a synonym for spirit, mind, psyche or self.

Read more about Soul:  Philosophical Views, Science, Parapsychology

Famous quotes containing the word soul:

    O charitable philosopher, I beg you to help me. My mind is weak but my soul is strong. Kindle that soul, and the sacred fire shall never be extinguished.
    James Boswell (1740–1795)

    And as the sun above the light doth bring,
    Though we behold it in the air below,
    So from th’ eternal Light the soul doth spring,
    Though in the body she her powers do show.
    Sir John Davies (1569–1626)

    Wisdom and Spirit of the universe!
    Thou Soul that art the eternity of thought,
    That givest to forms and images a breath
    And everlasting motion,
    William Wordsworth (1770–1850)