- Existence of the Soul
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- Moshe Ben-Chaim
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- Reader: I'm researching this for my teacher. I believe though
that what he is looking for is a proof (not from torah) that each and
every person has a soul. do you know if such a thing exist? maybe if
you would clarify the meaning of what a soul is, that would be a
start. thank you
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- Mesora: Ask him why a rock
cannot think. What is the difference between a rock and man?
Thought implies recognition of concepts - things which are not
physical. The idea of gravity is not that which one can point to. One
can only point to the "effects of gravity, but the idea of
gravity is not a physical thing. In order to perceive of any idea, one
requires an apparatus which is of the same nature as ideas, i.e., the
soul., something not physical, something metaphysical.
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- The soul is that part of man which is not physical, and can relate
to an idea. When man is dead, his soul no is longer connected to his
body, and the body therefore is like dust or a rock. An inanimate
substance.
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- We clearly see no other existence other than man which has the
ability to perceive ideas. Even animated beings such as animals only
mimic man and their environments for protective and procreative goals,
as God has designed them to do. But they have no ability to ponder
philosophy or determine moral judgments. Only that which is equipped
with a soul can be involved in such acts.
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