Question

Why is it an unpopular view, among philosophers and religious people, that a human being has a supernatural, spiritual soul?

Answer 1

The unpopularity of the belief in a supernatural soul among philosophers and religious people can be attributed to metaphysical challenges, lack of empirical evidence, and differing philosophical perspectives.

Step-by-step explanation:

The view that humans have a supernatural, spiritual soul is considered unpopular among philosophers and religious people due to various reasons:

1. Metaphysical Challenges: The concept of a supernatural soul poses metaphysical challenges, such as the mind-body problem. Dualism, which suggests that humans have both a physical body and a non-physical soul, raises questions about the interaction between these two distinct substances.
2. Lack of Empirical Evidence: The belief in a supernatural soul is not supported by empirical evidence. While some people may report religious experiences or psychic phenomena, they do not provide conclusive evidence for the existence of a soul or spiritual realm.
3. Differing Philosophical Perspectives: Philosophers have various perspectives on the nature of the self and consciousness. Materialists argue that only physical matter exists and reject the existence of non-physical substances like the soul. These different perspectives lead to disagreements about the existence of a supernatural soul.

Overall, the unpopularity of the belief in a supernatural, spiritual soul among philosophers and religious people can be attributed to metaphysical challenges, lack of empirical evidence, and differing philosophical perspectives.