(September 26, 2019 at 3:10 pm)LadyForCamus Wrote: I’m wondering if the word “soul”, itself, needs to be retired altogether, simply for the fact that it carries a specific religious connotation that seems difficult for a lot of people to get past. If we already have the words “form” and “function” to describe how matter is arranged and what it does, isn’t the word “soul” superfluous?
I'm of a different opinion, words as you have noted change common meaning over time, a dictionary will eventually start to include the new commonly understood meaning and eventually replace it.
I would like to make the word soul exclusively religious in meaning, it's an important definition in the religious context.
If people want to talk about something else regarding a person, then they can use the more traditional definitions unhindered, and also be accountable for the reasons they say what they say without any spooky element in consideration.
'Those who ask a lot of questions may seem stupid, but those who don't ask questions stay stupid'