ABSTRACT
This chapter argues the case for taking a broad approach to human persons, including both biological and spiritual aspects of human nature. Psychology is both a biological and a social science and needs to hold these different aspects of human nature together. The chapter suggests that theology needs to see the human person in the context both of the physical body and the social body. Within psychology, there are strong forms of both biological determinism and social constructionism. Within psychology, the study of human emotions illustrates well the importance of holding together biological and social aspects of being human. The need to integrate biological and social approaches within psychology raises general issues of how to relate naturalistic and social approaches within the sciences. The chapter examines the concept of 'soul', which has historically been central to how the distinctiveness of human beings has been conceptualized.
