Soul-Body Dualism and Science

Abstract

This entry begins with a consideration of what a soul is and whether it is reasonable to believe in its existence. It then looks at what, if anything, the Bible teaches about the existence of the soul, and whether there are non-biblical reasons for believing in the soul’s existence. Some biblical scholars and theologians, in light of their awareness of developments in modern science, argue that a person who believes in science cannot consistently believe in the existence of the soul. They typically invoke discoveries by neurologists of mental-physical correlations and the use by all scientists of the principle of methodological causal closure to support their position. This entry examines these two issues and concludes with brief treatments of the soul’s existence and relationship to the purpose of life, life after death, and abortion.

Keywords

• theology and science
• body
• mind
• bodily resurrection
• death
• philosophy
• soul
• substance dualism
• causal closure
• causal interactionism