The first time period for “soul” in historic Greek is psyche (). It initially denoted the precept of life, breath, or animation, however later developed to embody ideas of thoughts, spirit, and immortal essence. Homer’s epics, for instance, depict psyche because the life-force that departs the physique upon loss of life.
Understanding this idea is essential for decoding historic Greek philosophy, faith, and literature. The idea of an everlasting, maybe immortal, interior self formed concepts about loss of life, the afterlife, and the character of human existence. Philosophers equivalent to Plato and Aristotle extensively explored the character of psyche, debating its relationship to the physique, its colleges, and its potential for immortality. This exploration influenced Western thought of consciousness and the self for hundreds of years.
