Hard questions to begin the new year.

I’m pondering a question this morning.  Here’s it is:  Are we human bodies who were imbued with a soul, or are we souls who were imbued with a body?

One side of this coin would contend that I am human first – that is, I was conceived and then at some point a soul either began growing within me or I was infused with one (or even that there isn’t an immortal soul at all). This point of view encourages me to embrace my humanity, and celebrate my fingers and toes, and the thoughts in my head. It helps me revel at human accomplishments.  (Wealth, status, inventions, progress are some of the measures.) It cooperates with our society’s ability to sanction abortion and encourages us to do research for prolonging our lives as long as possible. This perspective embraces human worth, which can encourage the celebration of beauty to the point that it contributes to the human tendency of judging the merits or detriments of others based on factors such as skin color, social status, age, stature and body weight. Thinking we are human first can elevate the wonder and importance of being human, and can encourage us to take pride in how far individuals and our species has come.

The second side of this question insists that somehow our souls existed before the moment of conception and that humanity came second.  This ideation makes some sort of higher Being a given.  This viewpoint encourages the consideration of the mystery and meaning of life in the context of the human experience – embracing the immortal aspects of existence and seeking worth as an eternal being as well as a human one.  Accomplishments in this life are defined differently with this view, and material wealth often becomes a means to an end instead of the end in itself.  Human accomplishments are considered subordinate to what God has done. Since life is eternal and the soul came first, the beginning and end of human life becomes much more sacred. This point of view also embraces human worth, defining that worth more in terms of character. The slippery slope here is that it has the tendency to judge the merits and validity of a person based on their actions in the name of Truth as well as the desire to share Truth, but defining that Truth isn’t easy. This perspective puts forth the idea that humans are children of God and proposes that the earth is not our home.

I don’t want to open up a philosophical can of worms with this, I’m not schooled enough to conclude which is the definitive answer, and anyway, I’d guess that such an argument would be never-ending as we can’t definitively prove it one way or another. But, since I’ve been considering this, I’ve realized that my point of view really can drive my whole approach to living my life.  What I am considering is the practical application of each side and which point of view makes me a better human with a kinder soul.  So, what do you think?  Which came first, your body or your soul?  How does it matter?  How does thinking about this change you?