5. Are soul and Self different? If so, how are they different?

By Lee Archie <larchie@philosophy.lander.edu>

The influence of Greek philosophy on Christianity led to two significant aspects of the doctrine of soul: the soul is immortal and the soul is ordinary consciousness with a distinctive personality. Historically, Christianity did not separate body (or its intangible representation), mind, and soul. Hence, the soul is described in part by the empirical ego and had a definite beginning. The closest thing in Christian philosophy to Self is the Holy Ghost.

The Hindu belief is that the human soul is an eternal, indestructible entity, essentially the same in all living things, and is identical to Atman (God or Absolute Thought). Hence, the soul is not identified with the empirical ego and had no beginning or end. Atman is Self.

Buddhist thought has no single term meaning "soul." The words jiva (nonspiritual living thing), attan (self, spirit), and satta (living intelligent thing) are sometimes used for "soul," but this translation is in error. Since Buddhist philosophy assumes all is change and all is subject to suffering, the permanence of Atman or Self or even self is an illusion. These terms are convenient fictions and are conventions for conventional communication; nevertheless, with respect to this complex of forces we call "self," at the end or dissolution of this complex there are no lost traces. Perhaps,then, Tao is Self.


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Fran Sanders <FranSanders@hotmail.com>

The paper was really good. I thoought that it did answer the question in a way. It explain what they both were. I guess it is up to us to see how we view the paper.


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Dowd <rdowd@student.lander.edu>

It seems that there was a lot of explaining what soul was in three different aspects, and a little about what the Self was in those three, but I didn't see a whole lot of comparison. Regardless, I know more about what soul is considered to be by these three aspects.


Peter Rutanga <wung32@hotmail.com>

Interesting description of the concept of soul. I particulary like the comparison with the word "Atman". It compelled me to consider our soul as the one piece that unites us with the rest of the univers; the only trait that is common to all things in our world.


cutler <cutlershaun@hotmail.edu>

I guess because this topic did not interest me as much as others it still helped in the explaination of soul more so than it compared the two. I was enlightening however, and I am smarter having read it.


Rick Miller <rellimin@hotmail.com>

I enjoyed the information that was provided in the paper, but it seemed a little too factual. Bringing in the viewpoints of different religions was a good idea.


Christa Ryan <christaryan@yahoo.com>

I thought it was interesting how the different religions viewed soul and Self. This enabled me to see different views as opposed to the view of just one religion.


BRIAN NETTLES <NED_ CREEPER>

Type Your Comment Here I found the paper very interesting but some what difficult to comprehend and distuinguish the difference between the two.


Travis Galloway <hyperdedo@hotmail.com>

My main problem with this paper was the fact that it was a tad jumpy and never seemed to fully answer the question. However, there were many powerful points made. One thing though: In the last statement, are you saying self is "the way"???


Anna C. Nance <eirendel@yahoo.com>

This paper helped me to see, a little more clearly, the differences between Eastern and Western thought.


Eric Howell <grayghost13@hotmail.com>

I found the paper interesting, but I did not really think the question was answered. Although there was plenty of good information and points to think about.


Will Mulkey <wrmulkey@hotmail.com>

The paper focused on explaining the soul more than it did on explaining the difference between soul and Self. The explanation of Buddhist philosophy is a good example of how hard it is to communicate ideas between cultures. In Hinduism, what happens to the soul once its physical vessel has expired?


Your Name <Your E-Mail>

Thanks for all the facts but what is your opinion on the subject?


Woody Moore <wouldhe@inetgenesis.com>

that was mine above. oops i forgot to type in my name and e-mail address.


JW Preston <Wednesday@emeraldis.com>

I enjoyed the paper. It helped me understand more about the Soul and the Self.


JW Preston <Wednesday@emeraldis.com>

I enjoyed the paper. It helped me understand more about the Soul and the Self.


Richele Skelton <skelton@emarldis.com>

I thought that the paper was well written. It explained both self and soul thourghly. It gave a much better look at things.


Scott Elingburg <kehoutek@hotmail.com>

I enjoyed your paper, it helped me understand the aspect of the soul a little bit better than before. I like how you tied in the Holy Ghost in Christianity to the soul in Buddhism.


Will Bond <Your E-Mail>

I really enjoyed the paper. The paper was very educating, and finding out what the soul is to the different religions was very enlightening.


Tiffany Norton <TiffNorton@Hotmail.com>

You are right, I don't see the answer to the topic question, but the paper has some insight. Are you saying that, with respect to Buddhism, soul and self are the same?


10-27-00 <Comments Closed>

Submission of comments for this topic is closed.


Joey Johnson <Leojoeyjoe@hotmail.com>

I enjoyed this paper. It reminds me of circular time, it's true...