In class today, the topic of "second death" brought up the philosophical relations between the body and the soul. Although the conception of these two "entities" are entirely independent from the influence of other cultures, it is quite interesting to note that both the Greeks and the Romans have managed to conjure their own explanations for the existence of the two "parts" of an individual.
For the Greeks, the two are heavily interrelated: If the soul is virtuous, the body will display good health, strength, and vitality. On the contrary, if the soul fails to accomplish the Greek virtues of wisdom, moderation, courage, or justice, then it will be reflected upon the failing flesh that a man is corrupted. However, turning to St. Augustine, the soul and the body seem to be much more detached from one another. The body belongs to a part of nature, a vessel for "testing" the soul, constraining it within the boundaries of the material world. On the other hand, the soul, an individual's conscience, will be separated from the body upon death, either to ascend to the City of God or abandoned by God for damnation.
While the Greeks draw a parallel between the conditions of the body and that of the soul, St. Augustine seems to profess that a devout Christian would strive for the inverse. As "the last will be the first, and the first will be the last,"(Matthew 20:16) Christian suffering on Earth will result in a better spiritual conscience for the soul. On the other hand, if the soul succumbs to the temptations of the body, such as gluttony, lust, sloth, and so on, then the soul will consequently be corrupted and deemed unable to reach the Kingdom of Heaven.
Do you think the Greeks or Christians relate the Body and the Soul in the correct way? What differences in their paradigms drove them to believe in such a relationship?
-Robert
I believe answers to your questions will be dependent on an individual's personal opinion. To me, both the Greeks and Christians make good arguments regarding each of their beliefs. The reasoning behind the Christian belief and hope for one day attaining the separation of the Soul from the Body comes from the belief in an after life. St. Augustine depicts this after life as another city, separate from earth. Christians belief that the Body can be an obstacle in attaining eternal life, for the Body distracts the Soul with temptation and desire. This reasoning has led them to the hope of separation, so that their Soul may be free from obstacle and attain more freedom in the City of God.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a really interesting point! Both cultures believe in some sort of relationship between the body and the soul, but what part effects what is opposite. It seems to me that in the modern world we tend towards the Greek notions because that has more practical value in this world, while Augustine's opinion is more religious and therefore specific to Christians. I feel I have been told or heard on more than one occasion though something along the lines of "If you feel good you look good." This is often used as a general piece of wisdom in our society and is more reminiscent of the Greek ideas.
ReplyDeleteThis point is fascinating. I think it should be addressed that the Greeks appeared to have more of an acceptance of death and less concern for what occurs after the physical body dies. The Greeks were very particular on burials. Not receiving a proper funeral was either a sign of disrespect or due to the deceased's loss of honor/ reputation. The Christians follow God as an all powerful being that created the Earth and provided them with their own code of 'honor.' The Greeks were more concerned with their whole and own society's vitality. Christian faith seemed to be more about the individual and its relationship to God. Thus, when the soul is stripped from the body, one's true identity is shown, formulated by past actions. Whereas with the Greeks, their only concern was for one's identity and actions that occurred in their mortal life.
ReplyDeleteTo follow up, I think the Greeks put emphasis on the "now" while Augustine emphasises the "after". For the Greeks, the 'soul' is comprised of virtues (courage, moderation, justice) as Robert has stated. In order to achieve the ideal 'soul', one must exemplify excellence and virtues of the soul through actions throughout their lives—the "now". It is these actions that will be remembered once a person dies. On the contradictory, Augustine argues that it is the "after" that matters. Contrary to the classical philosophers, he argues that humans never achieve a state of peace through these virtues because it is only temporary. Augustine possibly views the Greek "soul" more of the "body" due to its finite nature.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Peem in that the Greeks emphasized the 'now' more, which is possibly due to their religion. The pagans didn't have a strong belief in the afterlife, unlike the Christians, and so they may have wanted to make the most out of their life while they could, hence emphasizing the body's display of the virtues of the soul (or vice versa if the soul becomes corrupt).
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting to explore the different culture's viewpoints on the deserving values of the body and the soul. I feel like christianity very strongly puts value in the soul, and it can very easily be taken that the body is seen as a distraction, as a vessel that only allows the soul to be exposed to unnecessary temptations, desires, and distractions during the lifetime. However, my point in class the other day was that they cannot possibly look at the body as just an opportunity for corruption of the soul. The body is the only way that allows for differentiation of every soul. If only souls existed, there would be no sinning, because we know that if the soul exists independent of the body, it must be with God. So, the existence of life allows for each soul to have its trail, its test...to see how strong its faith is, and how good it is at resisting the temptations of sin. Then, after the death of the body, God must choose to either abandon the soul of the sinner, therefore causing the second death, or choose salvation, and the soul lives close to God, closer and closer to true free will without sin.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Peem and Jessica that the differences in Greek and Christian cultures would lead them to view life in this way. Often we hear that "life is a test," and for devout Christian cultures this is often the case. They believe that this life is just a test of our soul, to see if it is worthy of going to Heaven. In Christian beliefs, the goal is to get into heaven, and in order to do so, one must maintain a proper soul by God's standards through life. Whereas the Greeks lived in the now, the state of their souls is only an afterthought.
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