Final answer:
The definition of the 'soul' in philosophy varies but is broadly understood as the essential, non-physical essence of beings. Plato saw it as eternal and separate from the body, seeking purity, while Aristotle viewed it as the life principle with different functions in plants, animals, and humans. Cultural beliefs often blur natural and supernatural aspects of the soul.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of the soul in philosophy is manifold, but it generally refers to the non-physical essence of a living being. Traditionally, philosophers have approached the soul from two major perspectives: as a substance distinct from the body, as in the case of Plato's understanding that the soul is eternal and reincarnated in various bodies, and as the form of the living body, akin to Aristotle's conception where the soul's definition is based on function. While Plato's view suggests that the soul seeks to become pure by separating from the body, Aristotle's stance describes the soul as the principle of life activities such as growth, perception, movement, and rational thought in humans. Aristotle further divides the soul into vegetative, animal, and rational types corresponding to different life forms and their functions.
In more modern considerations, the boundary between the natural and the supernatural can become blurred, with various cultural beliefs including the Christian, Hindu, and traditions like the Tausug from the Philippines offering diverse conceptions of the soul's nature and existence. These may incorporate multiple parts with differing roles, suggesting a complex view of the soul's interaction with both the body and a spiritual realm.