The soul is usually understood as a non-material entity that human beings have.
The definition of soul varies according to the cultural framework and the philosophical perspective of whoever refers to the term, which originates from the Latin anima . Soul, anima or spirit are usually used as synonyms to name the non-material and invisible entity that living beings possess .
The etymology of soul indicates the principle by which men and animals can move by themselves. However, over time, the soul became associated with religiosity and mysticism.
What is the soul
The soul would be the essence of people, that which forges their identity. It is a gift from God that makes each individual unique. In the case of animals, there are those who believe that they have a soul and others who consider that it is an exclusive property of human beings.
However, it must be taken into account that the word animal also comes from the Latin anima . Pope John Paul II stated that animals have souls and that human beings must be in solidarity with them.
The notion of soul is a frequent subject of philosophical and religious analysis.
The concept in cinema
It is precisely the essence of the human being that becomes the absolute protagonist of one of the films of recent years that has managed to reach the hearts of viewers around the world. We are referring to the North American production titled “Siete almas”.
The well-known actor Will Smith is the one who leads the cast of the one that brings us closer to the life of a man who decides to help seven people, seven strangers, who due to certain circumstances are going through a very difficult moment in their lives, either because an illness or other circumstances.
Within the cinematographic field, it is important to highlight that many of his films have also revolved around a theme halfway between religion and legend: selling your soul to the Devil. An action with which it is considered that someone, in exchange for power or privileges (immortality, wealth, eternal youth...), makes a pact with said demonic being, offering them their soul in exchange for those.
So, for example, one of the films that addresses this issue is “Pact with the Devil.” It was released in 1997, starring Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino, which tells the story of a young lawyer who is capable of anything, even not taking care of his sick wife, in order to get the power, success and professional prestige you desire.
The soul in religion
However, cinema has only been a reflection of a belief that was even the subject of investigation by the Holy Inquisition, which came to condemn many of its victims for considering that they had made that agreement with the Devil.
Catholicism points out that the soul is immortal , unlike the body. After death, man reaches God thanks to his soul, which has no pre-corporeal existence or material origin. For this religion , the soul constitutes the vital principle of human beings, which is one in body and soul.
For Buddhism , however, there is nothing permanent. Everything flows and is in constant change, therefore, there is no eternal soul specific to each individual.