I hate to go all metaphysical here, but I’ve been wondering about the soul. More specifically, what the Hell is it? With that, my voyage to discovery began. And ended. I couldn’t even find a decent definition, nothing to indicate whether the soul is real or imagined.
I checked the New Oxford American Dictionary, a usually reliable source, and was in no way enlightened, just disappointed:
soul | sōl |
noun
1 the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal.
• a person’s moral or emotional nature or sense of identity.
• the essence of something.
• emotional or intellectual energy or intensity, esp. as revealed in a work of art or an artistic performance.
Old English sāwol, sāw(e)l, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch ziel and German Seele.
Merriam-Webster was similarly vague, but wordier. They both used terms like immaterial, immortal, essence, nature. Great, let’s beat around the bush, I need the exercise.
Those definitions tell me nothing. I still have questions. Does a bug have a soul? A flower? What’s the structure of a soul? Tangible or intangible? Is it similar to a gas? What does it do all day? Where is it in the body? Is it free-floating? Does it really exist?
The whole business seems suspicious, in my opinion, too much like a poetic device for my comfort. It’s a fancy, lovely word, but abstract and completely meaningless. Brevity has a soul. Motown has soul. Discretion, food, humans, every single thing has a soul. ¹ Animate, inanimate, even the ethereal
This post, too, has a soul. Sure, it’s the very soul of deception, masquerading as thoughtful discourse. And I apologize. But, come on, you should be used to this by now. You take a chance when you come here. Great posts are virtually unheard of in these parts, scarce as hen’s teeth — even decent posts are a long shot.
But, bless your hearts, you’re such good sports about it I feel like a heel. So no more chicanery. I promise. I can also promise my
immortal soul is destined for Hell and damnation.
And now, if you’ll pardon me, ² I need to soak in a tub of flame retardant.
copyright © 2017 the whirly girl
¹ Except Donald Trump.
² Pardon me, also, for the reblog. I’ve fallen behind and can’t catch up.
the whirly girl 
12 responses to “: a soul-searching expedition :”
If only blogs could hug!
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You’re too sweet! Thanks x 1,000,000 🙃
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I think your soul can be defined by what it is you will not do, for any amount of money… what you would never sell yourself out for.
Like waxing turtles with anything other than the officially approved (and eponymously named) Turtle Wax…
Or washing your hands with anything other than kindly, benevolent thoughts whilst using Dove soap…
You know…
Things like that.
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Yep, that works for me. But, um, can I substitute Joy for Dove? I know it’s for dishes, but I can’t be picky. I need to add it wherever I find it :o)
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Very modern, rational people say that the thing we call a human ‘soul’ is just a series of organic algorithms that create in us the feeling that we call a ‘soul’. I’m not sure how this explains Motown though.
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Can anything explain Motown? It’s a miracle. But your definition of a soul is as plausible as any other, plus I like the thought it involves algorithms. That’s a kick :o)
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My favourite is ’emotional or intellectual energy or intensity, esp. as revealed in a work of art or an artistic performance’ … the proof of the pudding is in the eating!
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See? There’s another one: artistic. Okay, enough, I’m going to stop overthinking and just enjoy the pudding.
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Ah, soul food, now you’re talking!
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Mmmmmm …
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Oh, a little chicanery now and then is acceptable.
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phew, that’s a relief. I wasn’t at all sure I could it pull it off :o)
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