АНТИЧНА ТА ХРИСТИЯНСЬКА АНТРОПОЛОГІЯ: ТРИ ГІПОТЕЗИ ПРО ПОХОДЖЕННЯ ДУШІ

Abstract

In Eastern Christian philosophy, there are several views on the origin of the soul, which, in turn, were borrowed from ancient philosophy. This article deals with the study of three main hypotheses about the origin of the soul, which originate from ancient philosophy and pre-Christian religious beliefs. The reception of these hypotheses with some transformation and adaptation was adopted and further developed by prominent Christian thinkers of both the East and the West. Therefore, the main emphasis is on the development of these hypotheses from patrology and later – in Christian philosophy, to modern research. In the first three centuries, the Christian doctrine of the origin of the human soul was not yet clearly defined. One or another thinker only occasionally pondered on this issue. Of course, the main source from which the basis for philosophizing was taken was the Bible. However, Christian thinkers also resorted to ancient Greek philosophy, within which all three views on the origin of the soul were previously formed: the hypothesis of the re-existence of souls, creationism – that is, the creation of the soul and traditionism – the birth of the soul. The three hypotheses we considered about the origin of the human soul coexisted peacefully among the philosophers of antiquity. In the Christian tradition, the hypothesis of predestination was relatively quickly exposed and rejected as contrary to the authority of the Bible. From the standpoint of Christianity, the hypotheses of creationism and translationism have their advantages, but also their disadvantages, and, therefore, since the time of church councils, Christian thinkers have been trying to combine these two hypotheses. The hypothesis of translationism, which is the most consistent with modern scientific discoveries, is considered separately. This hypothesis is investigated in connection with the achievements of genetics and cytology, in particular, taking into account the knowledge accumulated by mankind about the development of the fetus from conception. Also, the hypothesis of traditionism is analyzed in accordance with the requirements of philosophical anthropology regarding the presence of freedom and responsibility in man.