Introduction to the History of Religions Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume IV

CHAPTER II. THE SOUL 10

Chapter 3221 wordsPublic domain

NATURE OF THE SOUL. Universal belief in an interior something, 18; its basis, 19; from observation of breath, 21; of shadow, 22; of blood, 23; Its form a sublimated double of the corporeal man, 24; or of an animal, 25; The seat of the soul, 26; Localization of qualities, 27; Consequences of the soul's leaving the body, 29; The hidden soul, 31.

ORIGIN OF THE SOUL. Not investigated by savages, 32; Creation of man, 33; Theories of birth, 34; Divine origin of the soul, 36; Mysteriousness of death, 38.

POLYPSYCHISM. Early views of the number and functions of souls, 39; Civilized views, 43.

FUTURE OF THE SOUL. Belief in its death, 46; This belief transient, 51-53; Dwelling-place of the surviving soul in human beings, beasts, plants, or inanimate objects, 55-59; or near its earthly abode, 60-63; or in some remote place in earth, sea, or sky, 64-66; or in an underground world, 67-69; Occupations of the dead, 70; Retribution in the Underworld, 71; Nonmoral distinctions, 72-75; Moral retribution, savage, 76-78; Civilized, 79-80; Local separation of the good from the bad, 81; Reward and punishment, Hindu, 82; Egyptian, 83; Greek, 84; Jewish and Christian, 85, 86; Purgatory, 87; Resurrection, 88-90.

POWERS OF THE SEPARATED SOUL. Prayers for the dead, 95, 96.

GENESIS OF SPIRITS. Functions of spirits (souls of nonhuman objects), 97-100.