In Search of the Soul: A Philosophical Essay

by John Cottingham

How our beliefs about the soul have developed through the ages, and why an understanding of it still matters todayThe concept of the soul has been a recurring area of exploration since ancient times. What do we mean when we talk about finding our soul, how do we know we have one, and does it hold any relevance in today’s scientifically and technologically dominated society? From Socrates and Augustine to Darwin and Freud, In Search of the Soul takes readers on a concise, accessible journey into the origins of the soul in Western philosophy and culture, and examines how the idea has developed throughout history to the present. Touching on literature, music, art, and theology, John Cottingham illustrates how, far from being redundant in contemporary times, the soul attunes us to the importance of meaning and value, and experience and growth. A better understanding of the soul might help all of us better understand what it is to be human.Cottingham delves into the evolution of our thoughts about the soul through landmark works—including those of Aristotle, Plato, and Descartes. He considers the nature of consciousness and subjective experience, and discusses the psychoanalytic view that large parts of the human psyche are hidden from direct conscious awareness. He also reflects on the mysterious and universal longing for transcendence that is an indelible part of our human makeup. Looking at the soul’s many dimensions—historical, moral, psychological, and spiritual—Cottingham makes a case for how it exerts a powerful pull on all of us.In Search of the Soul is a testimony to how the soul remains a profoundly significant aspect of human flourishing.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2020

About the author

John Cottingham is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Reading.
Professor of Philosophy of Religion, University of Roehampton, London.
Visiting Professor, King’s College London.
Honorary Fellow, St John’s College, Oxford University.

John Cottingham has published over thirty books – fifteen as sole author, a further nine editions and translations, plus (either as single or joint editor) eight edited collections – together with over 140 articles in learned journals or books. From 1993-2012 he was Editor of Ratio, the international journal of analytic philosophy.

Reviews

[Jasper L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good read when you don’t want anything too dense. It offers a brief look at how we have have and do speak of ‘the soul’. In both its historical developments and modern controversies the soul is defended against those disenchanted losers who cannot prove (and thus fathom) its existence. Here’s the catch: it is necessarily immaterial and transcendent in order to understand the material and immanent world around us, others, and nature.
Take that binaries!!!

Not the most original argument but grounded on interesting defences of Cartesianism and other Early Moderns. Also a good ‘up yours’ to these modern scientistic and analytic thinkers is always a good time.

Still don’t really know what ‘the soul’ is though :/
Useful illusion???

[Davidcharlesbowmangmail.com · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author is a highly respected academic specialising in early modern and religious philosophy, and I think he is a specialist in Descartes. I was hoping this book would provide some sound analysis of concepts of the soul, or at least some clarity about this. After an interesting discussion about how we need to move well away from pictures of the soul as some kind of ghostly substance hovering inside us, and that it is better considered as the collection of qualities of the human psyche, Cottingham explicitly abandons any attempt at analysis and relies on a rich selection of poetry and scripture. Perhaps it was my fault that I was willingly misled, but Prof Cottingham does not leave philosophy alone: instead he is, I think, dismissive and even disrespectful towards some who have achieved, or at least bravely and coherently attempted what he shies away from, including Daniel Dennett and Gilbert Ryle. It seems unlikely that a man of his learning could have misunderstood their writing, but that's the impression I'm left with, an impression reinforced by his populist and petulant references to "militant atheism of our time" near the end. I find this unworthy.

[Thomasso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historically interesting but then moves too much to my taste into the direction of theology

[Carla Vvo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too theistic

[Jerry Wall · Rating 2 out of 5]

in the 80,000 years homo sapiens have been around with a brain there came a time when one mind or so had the thought that there must be something with the power to be in charge of and responsible for nature, the world we live in. That lone deep-thinking individual called it god and fashioned it in the image of men. Many others men and women have amplified the thinking and, to keep humans in the picture of some scheme in charge and responsible for what happens he/she invented the term soul
for something in us that could participate in the supernatural idea.
Many since have talked about the soul and its abilities all of which are fashioned to support the notion of both God and the soul. Many people have imagined an outside force setting morals and judging
those of us who err.
That creature has, by what we see in nature, little regard for humans as witnessed by the latest plague virus we are tortured, good and not so good, in this year of nature 2020. I am not convinced that there is a part of our thinking that is separate from our body and mind which lives on in another world that would be a soul.

Interesting and well laid out writing, but does not convince me that we need or have a soul.
When one is raised in religion and studies some of the religious thinkers, he has many tools and
thoughts polished that support such thinking.
This book is an exercise in preaching to the choir in that I don't recall in discussion about those in history who were not raised to believe in a God and the current claim by many that of the list of theistic religions they are a member of None.

[Justine Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book left me disappointed as it doesn’t break entirely new ground in philosophical thought. However there is value in how it reframes and reinterprets existing ideas for a modern and fresh take! as someone who’s read a lot of philosophy I didn’t love it…

whether the book feels groundbreaking depends on your perspective. If you’re well-read in philosophy or religion, it might feel like a modern reinterpretation of old ideas. However, for someone grappling with questions of meaning in a science-driven world or how we have historically considered a ‘soul’, it might provide clarity and education. That’s my 2 cents!

[Katherine D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started this book a long time ago but it took me forever to get past chapter 3 because the way Cottingham writes about science is so frustrating and it’s clear he’s going way out of his depth. Besides that, it’s actually quite a worthwhile read particularly if you’re an atheist like me. Chapter 3 gets 1 star from me but the rest is around 4 stars.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

The smarts of Antiquity offered to the poor who are overtaxed so this sort of leech would have tenure and a generous pension.

[Rinie Altena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough but still easy to read book that argues in favor of 'soul' as an essential way to see the human live.