[Avodah] Neurological evidence for the existence of neshamos

[Micha Berger]

On Tue, Sep 25, 2018 at 09:52:29PM -0400, Akiva Miller via Avodah wrote:
: R' Micha Berger wrote (in a fascinating post):
:> Souls come in four forms -- domeim, tzomeiach, chai and medaber.

: It makes sense to use the English word "soul", so that we don't get bogged
: down in the distinction between nefesh and neshama, for example. That said,
: can you tell me something about the sort of soul that a domeim or tzomeiach
: has?

A tzomeiach has the power to grow and to procreate. It is alive, so it
is easy to see how it has some sort of soul.

A domeim is harder. One has to get into tzurah vechomer, and the
relationship between nefesh and tzurah. Tzurah isn't just a thing's shape
and other propherties, it also is its function. A shapeless piece of
metal has no function; give it a tzurah and it could be part of a chair
or a challah knife.

Also, since everything physical has a metaphysical source, the continuing
existence of rock as a rock requires some spiritual meta-rock, its soul.

This concept is discussed by both philosphers (Rambam, lehavdil Aristo)
and anti-Scholasticists (like the Kuzari, who adds Yisrael as a 5th type
of soul). An idea the Rambam and Mequbalim discuss is worth sinking your
teeth into.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Worrying is like a rocking chair:
micha at aishdas.org        it gives you something to do for a while,
http://www.aishdas.org   but in the end it gets you nowhere.
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