The first time period for “soul” in historical 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 dying.
Understanding this idea is essential for deciphering historical Greek philosophy, faith, and literature. The idea of an everlasting, maybe immortal, internal self formed concepts about dying, the afterlife, and the character of human existence. Philosophers akin to Plato and Aristotle extensively explored the character of psyche, debating its relationship to the physique, its schools, and its potential for immortality. This exploration influenced Western thought of consciousness and the self for hundreds of years.