Origin of the Soul - A Conversation

The Origin of the Soul is a contemporary retrieval of an important theological discussion throughout history. The origin of the soul is thought by many to be an outdated discussion that is theologically antiquated. And, yet, in recent years, there has been a renewed and growing interest not only in the soul, immaterial substances and theistic explanations for the origins of consciousness, but a more vibrant interest in the origins of the soul and the implications it has for numerous theological topics. This is due, in part, to the growing recognition in theistic circles that we are not material beings--at least not solely, but rather we are ensouled beings and it is this part, aspect, or feature of us that needs some explaining beyond biological evolution. The conversation that takes place in this volume will be of interest to scholars and students of both theology and philosophy.

List of contents

Foreword
Charles Taliaferro
Introducing the Origin of the Soul
Joshua R Farris
1 Creationist-Dualism: Theistic neo-Cartesianism
Joshua R Farris
2 Theistic Quantum-Informational Idealism and the Soul Sub Specie Aeternitatis
Bruce L Gordon
3 Panpsychist-Traducianism: Souls as Fundamental and Combined
Joanna Leidenhag
4 The Emergence of Souls
William Hasker
5 A Hylemorphist View: Neither Creationism nor Traducianism
J.T. Turner, Jr.
Afterword
Peter van Inwagen

About the author

Joshua R. Farris Rev., Ph.D, is a Humboldt Experienced Researcher Fellow and Visiting Researcher at the Ruhr Universität Bochum. He is the co-editor of The Routledge Handbook of Idealism and Immaterialism.
Joanna Leidenhag, PhD is Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy at the University of Leeds. She is the author of Minding Creation: Theological Panpsychism and the Doctrine of Creation (2021), and co-author of Science-Engaged Theology (Cambridge Elements, 2023).

Product details

• Authors: Joshua Leidenhag Farris
• Assisted by: Joshua Farris (Editor), Joanna Leidenhag (Editor)
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 27.06.2025
• EAN: 9781032699943
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3269994-3
• No. of pages: 320
• Series: Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; PHILOSOPHY / Religious, PHILOSOPHY / Metaphysics, RELIGION / Philosophy, RELIGION / Christianity / General, Christianity, Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology, Philosophy of religion