But What Is a Soul?: A twenty -first century investigation

By William G Joseph

This is straight talk about the soul drawing from traditional thinking as well as a twenty-first century scientific understanding of human nature. It develops a non-creationist theory of the soul. Gone are creationism, original sin, fires of Hell and pietistic language. These are replaced by honestly treating many religious dogmas as theories which, in reality, they are. There is new thinking here on a subject that is seldom discussed. When it is discussed and all the usual answers are given, the question still remains; But what is the soul? This book offers an outline for realistic and substantial directions of study that should restart the thinking about this important topic. The implications are broad and some of the sensitive areas effected are considered, not with an eye to resolving all the issues but suggesting reasonable ways to approach answers. Some of these issues are: *Is the soul a part of natural evolution? *When does a soul start existence? *What is the spiritual life of a soul? *If human nature not fallen, why redemption? *Where do immortal souls go after death? This can be an opportunity to clarify thinking about souls. Care has been taken to make this study understandable by clergy, theology students and informed general readers both religious and non-religious. Peer reviewers comments: As for the book's reasonableness, it is outstanding. Although written by a Catholic priest, Joseph's arguments or case for the existence of the soul carefully avoids any authoritarian or magisterial tone, but rather, coming from someone who has also been a lecturer in science during a major part of his life. The case is primarily presented in terms of evolutionary science and philosophy. The message the author is trying to convey is that there is a much more logical and scientifically plausible way of thinking of the prospect of an afterlife than the warmed-over Platonism that has long been taught as Catholic dogma. Joseph does well to keep going back to the problematic nature of the whole "Original Sin" explanation and theology of "Redemption" that has been based upon it. Even though he has written an earlier book on that subject, I will applaud him for re-raising that subject several times over in the course of this book. -----Richard W. Kropf, Ph.D., Philosophy and theology, Author, USA It is a wonderful read. Many thanks for the privilege. You have dared to go where most haven't. A seminal book putting out there what has been fudged, dodged by others - for the usual reasons. It is highly persuasive in its arguments and is genuinely your very own inspiration. Great connections for a new synthesis. In general terms it is eminently readable, reasonable and useful. Excellent and brilliant passages of enlightenment. Daniel O'Leary, S.T.M., Theology and spirituality, Lecturer, Author, United Kingdom It is an intelligent, well informed, and very well-written reflection. I could see it used very effectively in a discussion group or parish adult ed program. It is provocative in many good ways... -----Jack Alonzo Dick, Ph.D., S.T.D., Historical theologian, Leuven, Belgium

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1537457861
• ISBN13: 9781537457864
• Release Date: September 2016
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 266 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 6.0"