How Human Souls Can be Considered Metaphors

Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein's Summary

I explore the concept of the soul through the metaphor of "light" and "heavy" souls. I believe these represent personality types rather than literal entities. The soul is a metaphor for the essence of a person.

There's no correlation between physical and mental age. "Light souls" are adventurous, innocent, and extroverted. "Heavy souls" are wise, introverted, and prefer intellectual pursuits. I see myself as a balance between the two. The soul might be a way to explain death as separate from the body.

Mr. Lasher, of the review division, offers alternative perspectives on the soul: The soul could be spread throughout the body. The soul might be consciousness or an energy field. Mental age could be a reflection of the soul's development. Light souls might express more imagination, a form of intelligence. Life experiences move people along a spectrum of "light" to "heavy." Mind and soul might be inseparable.

The article concludes with an open-ended question about the nature of the soul and its relation to the mind.

(Background music)

**************************

"Capturing" the Soul with Metaphors

The concept of the soul has captivated humanity for millennia. It's, arguably, that "essence" which makes us who we are. It could be seen as the driving force behind our passions, fears, and dreams. Yet, pinning down the soul's exact nature remains a tough philosophical effort, without necessarily definite result. This is where metaphor, as a powerful tool for greater understanding, comes along

Throughout history, philosophers and writers have reached for metaphors to illuminate the soul's complexities. Plato used a chariot allegory, for example: Reason guided the two, black and white horses, representing emotion.

Romantics compared the soul to an Aeolian harp, its strings echoing with the music of a life being experienced with motion and energy.

In ancient Egypt,

"The soul was not only one's character but a composite being of different entities, each of which had its own role to play in the journey of life and afterlife."

These metaphors offer a glimpse into the multifaceted nature of "the soul", giving us food for tought on the nature of existence. They remind us that the soul is not a static, concrete or even an easy-to-define entity. Rather, if truly exists, it's a dynamic force that shapes and is shaped by our experiences.

Just like a cupcake mold leaves its imprint on the batter, our soul leaves its mark on the world through the power of ripple effects. The choices we make, the paths we take – all contribute to the legacy we leave behind, and influence the journey of others, in accordance to our own impact.

Then, the question then becomes: are the shapes we're leaving the ones we truly desire? By reflecting on the metaphors that resonate with us, we can gain a deeper understanding of our own unique being and as such gain the better opportunity to leave a positive imprint on the world.

I like to use as many metaphors as possible in my writing. It gives my writing vividity, an aura of meaningfulness, and a sense of adventure towards an unknown destination, which may or may not exist. For me, the term "soul" is a metaphor, since I do not actually believe in the existence of these eternal entities. There is no physical place in the body that could house such a thing. Feel free, of course, to try proving me wrong.

The Spectrum of the Soul: Lightness and Weight

For me, the term "soul" can be equivalent to "life force," "motivation," or "essence of being." It is not something that stands on its own, without a parallel term.

Long ago, I was interested in the relationship between "soul" and "mental age." I believe that there may not be a correlation between physical age (the length of time one has lived) and mental age (one's childish or mature personality). There may be people who are very old but have a childlike attitude, and young people with a very strict attitude, with wisdom that exists beyond their physical age.

I would consider a "light soul" to be the personality of a child, not necessarily as an insult. People with such a life force are very adventurous, seductive, attractive, excited, carefree, and pretty much everything that may be considered social, innocent, and extroverted. A "light soul" is a child at heart.

On the contrary, a "heavy soul" is not necessarily a miserable or stressed entity. As I said before, they may be wise beyond their actual age. They may prefer intellectual matters over materialistic ones, are very self-disciplined, introverted, very mature, and may or may not lead an ascetic lifestyle, devoid of obsessions after pleasure, adventures, and vanity. They may also prefer solitary pursuits, and are independent by nature, even if melancholic at times.

A "heavy soul" can also be regarded as an "old soul". I also do not take that term literally.

Personally, I view myself as a hybrid between the two. I do lead a somewhat ascetic and solitary lifestyle, and I am wise beyond my physical age. However, I am also quite innocent, as I fail to understand the cause or functionality of impurity, crime, and evil in our world. I prefer intellectual activities over social events, but I am also an admirer of physical fitness.

Part of being a philosopher is to be less innocent, for the philosopher seeks to understand, above all.

I believe that a composition of "light" and "heavy" virtues can lead to a healthy and serene life. It is good to be kind-hearted, but it is also important to care for intellectuality and avoid the circle of materialistic pursuits. There are many more combinations that are possible for a healthy physical and mental condition.

Regardless of its metaphorical aspect, I tend to believe that the soul was invented as a concept for people to explain to themselves what happens to a person after they die. It is a result of distinguishing between the person and their body, as if they were different objects. The truth might be that when we die, we simply shut down, like a phone that has run out of batteries. However, it is important to remain open-minded about the concept of souls, as it is a widely-accepted theory, along with other theories like the afterlife or resurrection.

Mr. Nathan Lasher's Review

I think Mr. Tomasio is missing one important aspect of metaphors. That they are a tool to use. They allow for you to connect unrelated material with familiar content so people can experience things curiously through their own experiences. They are a vital aspect of understanding things. Very powerful if used properly.

What if the soul isn’t housed in the brain alone? What if it’s spread out over your whole entire body and operates through our neural system? This subject is a hard one to discuss objectively, as the soul is the essence of who you are I don’t believe it can be discussed fully without adding some subjectivity to it. 

Who says the soul isn’t the same thing as consciousness? A pure sense of awareness as to what is inside of us and all around us? Courtesy of our senses? Who is to say the soul isn’t anything more than an energy field which envelops us but which can spread outside of us as well. What if your sight is actually your soul using your eyes to see what is around you?

There is nothing physical about the soul other than energy. If one were to think of the soul as the same thing as conscious minds and intelligence, would your mental age not actually be your soul as well? After all, if learning is nurturing the soul, would it not make sense to think of mental age as how much you have learned?

In reference to light souls being like that of a child... If one were to think of imagination as an expression of intelligence, would it not mean that children are more intellectually active than adults? So, children use more “soul” than adults do. At what age do we decide to stop using our intelligence like that? At what point do people stop expressing their souls like that?

Is an old soul nothing more than a soul which has been through many experiences? A young soul would be someone regardless of age who hasn’t experienced much. If you’ve been through a lot you would probably lean more towards heavy. I think one could explain light and heavy souls more vividly by describing them as a spectrum which people move around on throughout their lives.

Maybe at some point in your adult life you move and start a new job. You’d be learning towards a light soul for a bit because you aren’t as experienced with the experiences you are having yet. I believe experience is how we nurture our souls.

Aren’t mind and soul the same exact thing? They are both essences of who you are. Try this one out for size. Think of a place on your forehead and without using your hands try to touch it by trying to force your brain to that point. Wonder what it is from your inside that you are feeling pushing out? If you did this properly it should feel like your brain is pushing that point from the inside out. Can you explain to me what it is inside your mind which is pushing?