Body and Soul (Aquinas 101)

Summary

In a world where skepticism challenges the concept of the soul, this video revisits St. Thomas Aquinas's insights, asserting that the soul is the form of the body, essential for defining human identity. It argues against the notion of multiple souls coexisting within a single organism, establishing that humans possess only one rational soul, which animates the body and integrates various faculties. This exploration highlights the soul's role in distinguishing the living from the non-living, presenting a compelling case for its significance in understanding human existence.

Takeaways

• 😀 The soul is often dismissed in modern discourse, likened to myths like fairies or Santa Claus.
• 🤔 Philosophical skepticism and materialism challenge the existence of the soul, leading to misunderstandings.
• 🧠 The soul is described as the form of the body, essential for defining human identity and existence.
• 📖 Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas provide foundational insights into the nature of the soul and its role in living beings.
• 💡 A human person is defined as an embodied soul, emphasizing the unity of body and soul.
• 🔄 The soul actualizes the body, giving it life and purpose; without the soul, the body is merely matter.
• 🌱 St. Thomas asserts that all living things have souls, including plants (vegetative souls) and animals (sensory souls).
• 🔍 St. Thomas argues that a living being can possess only one soul, countering contemporary views of multiple souls coexisting.
• 🌐 The soul is not a ghost or mere property; it is the essence that distinguishes living from non-living beings.
• 📚 The video encourages further exploration of philosophical teachings and their relevance to contemporary understanding of life.

Q & A

What is the common perception of the soul in modern society?

Many people view the soul skeptically, likening it to fictional concepts like fairies or Santa Claus, often considering it a mere product of pious fiction or spiritualism.

How does the speaker propose to clarify the notion of the soul?

The speaker suggests returning to the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas to regain a common sense that sheds light on contemporary understandings of the soul.

What does it mean to say that 'the soul is the form of the body'?

This claim means that the soul is essential for defining what a human person is, acting as the organizing principle that gives shape and unity to the body.

How does Aristotle define a human person?

According to Aristotle, a human person is defined as a 'rational animal,' indicating that humans possess both rationality and animality.

What is the relationship between the body and the soul according to St. Thomas?

St. Thomas posits that the soul is primary and gives unity to the body; the body exists by virtue of the soul, making the soul the actualizing principle of the body.

What happens to matter when the soul is no longer present?

Without the soul, matter that was once part of a human being, like a corpse or a severed hand, loses its identity as human matter and is simply seen as inanimate.

What does the term 'anima' mean and how is it related to the soul?

The Latin word 'anima' translates to 'soul,' which relates to the concept of 'animate'—indicating that the soul is what gives life to the body.

How does Aristotle approach the discovery of the soul?

Aristotle observes the actions of living beings, such as sensing and understanding, and infers that these capabilities indicate the presence of a soul.

What is St. Thomas's position on the number of souls in living beings?

St. Thomas argues that each living being has only one soul, which is responsible for all of its functions, contradicting the belief that a lower soul can coexist with a higher soul.

What argument does St. Thomas use to support the idea of one soul?

He cites St. Augustine, noting that when one operation of the soul is intense, it impedes other operations, suggesting a unified soul rather than multiple independent souls.