The first time period for “soul” in historic Greek is psyche (). It initially denoted the precept of life, breath, or animation, however later advanced 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 demise.
Understanding this idea is essential for decoding historic Greek philosophy, faith, and literature. The idea of an everlasting, maybe immortal, inside self formed concepts about demise, the afterlife, and the character of human existence. Philosophers resembling 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 considered consciousness and the self for hundreds of years.