Do animals have souls?

Question

Also, do you think Non-Human creatures can be aware in the same way were are? (making the assumption that we are, and not just staring at shadows)

George, just how Tiny is your Aunt? mine was a pretty small but decent woman, but I wouldn't say tiny....

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Answer 1

The authoritative answer to this question is found in the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, which is 5,000 years old, the knowledge of which has been passed down through the ages in an unbroken chain of disciplic succession, the original text has been unadulterated and says the following:-

vidya-vinaya-sampanne
brahmane gavi hastini
suni caiva sva-pake ca
panditah sama-darsinah

The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].

A Krsna conscious person does not make any distinction between species or castes. The brahmana and the outcaste may be different from the social point of view, or a dog, a cow, or an elephant may be different from the point of view of species, but these differences of body are meaningless from the viewpoint of a learned transcendentalist.

This is due to their relationship to the Supreme, for the Supreme Lord, by His plenary portion as Paramatma, is present in everyone's heart. Such an understanding of the Supreme is real knowledge.

As far as the bodies are concerned in different castes or different species of life, the Lord is equally kind to everyone because He treats every living being as a friend yet maintains Himself as Paramatma regardless of the circumstances of the living entities.

The Lord as Paramatma is present both in the outcaste and in the brahmana, although the body of a brahmana and that of an outcaste are not the same.

The bodies are material productions of different modes of material nature, but the soul and the Supersoul within the body are of the same spiritual quality.

The similarity in the quality of the soul and the Supersoul, however, does not make them equal in quantity, for the individual soul is present only in that particular body whereas the Paramatma is present in each and every body.

A Krsna conscious person has full knowledge of this, and therefore he is truly learned and has equal vision. The similar characteristics of the soul and Supersoul are that they are both conscious, eternal and blissful.

But the difference is that the individual soul is conscious within the limited jurisdiction of the body, whereas the Supersoul is conscious of all bodies. The Supersoul is present in all bodies without distinction.

To discuss further:-Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari ([e-mail])

Answer 2

The idea that non human creatures aren't aware / dont have souls , I would put down to human arrogance. If youve ever seen the terror of an animal dieing, I think its aware.

As to what a soul is, if you really think something goes on after your brain has decayed, well its very comforting and may well get you to sign over your wealth to a religion but I think youre kidding yourself.

Answer 3

The evidence for a soul in a creature is life. Death indicates that the soul has left the body. Animals are not aware as we are. Humans are the only visible creatures to have the capacity to know their Creator.

Animals and plants souls are mortal and go into non-existence once they die. Our immortal soul is classified as an intellectual soul. Animals have a sensative soul while plants have a vegitative soul.

It is amazing how much we associate ourselves to animals. Our animalistic tendencies are strong and we cannot readily recognize (or see) the spirits. It is this subject of concerning souls that gives me the conclusion that the Holy Trinity is true. Of all of God's creatures only man has 3 parts to his existence. Everything in the universe can be categorized into 3 parts: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual. This is how Creatures differ.

Essence of MAN: MIND, BODY, & SOUL.
Existence of MAN: HUMAN, LIVING, BEING.
Essence of GOD: FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT.
Existence of GOD: All knowing, All Powerful, All Present.

Answer 4

I think IF humans have souls then animals must too since we are just a different breed of animal.
I think non-human creatures are aware of the world around them but that humans are possibly the only animal that is aware of its own mortality.

Answer 5

When ever I am sad my dog tries to comfort me, I think that shows soul, when he pinches my fav food he believes in god too, but not quite in the same way as a human would. If treated well most choose to be content with their lives, Humans don't so I don't think Non humans have the same battle with evil that we do, maybe fighting for your Soul can strengthen it and it becomes more obvious.

Answer 6

No, I don't think non-human creatures can be aware like humans, because they are non-human...er, is that too obvious?

As for the animal souls bit, HELL YES they have souls, at least that's what my cats tell me...one in particular was vocally outraged at the mere question.

Answer 7

Since a soul is simply your life force yes they do. That soul dies along with the body though so if you are asking are there animals spirits floating around somewhere the answer would be no

Answer 8

Yes animals have souls. However, the problem is your definition of soul.

Most people believe the soul is a spiritual part of them that goes back to god. They confuse spirit with soul.

When God made ADAM he made him in three parts.

Body - physical flesh

Spirit - spirit

Soul - Breath Life. The breath we breath. Soul. aka id, ego that which makes you you. The life of you.

When we talk of animals having souls they do. They are alive.

What they do not have but we can have, is spirit life. The gift of God. That is what Jesus Christ came to make avaialble to us.

So yes, animals have souls. Are they self aware as we are? Not quite. They are more like two year olds, aware of something but not everything.

We are unique in that we can think about what we are thinking about. And even the fact that we are thinking about it.

We can actually place our selves outside our selves in our own minds. A unique trick.

Answer 9

I am not an expert on souls, but I'm sure there is something inside that keeps us ticking over. I also think it is the same for other animals.

Answer 10

Eccl.3:18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. Eccl.3:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. Eccl.3:20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Eccl.3::21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

Eccl.12:7; Psm.104:29,30; Job 19:25,26; 34:14,15; Luke 8:50,52,54,55 [ her spirit returned and she was alive ]; Eze.37:12-14 Matt.19:28; The spirit makes them alive and they return to their own land. John 3:16; 1Cor,15:22 As in Adam all die, even so in Christ sahll all be made alive. The animals existed before Adam, he started the world that is promised the resurrection. Spirit of life is from God Num.16:22;