Cross-Cultural Perceptions of Mind and Soul

Research across cognitive science, psychology of religion, linguistics, philosophy, and anthropology emphasizes the intertwined concepts mind and soul in shaping individuals’ perceptions. Both mind and soul significantly impact human intuitions, incorporating psychological, cognitive, religious, moral, and emotional dimensions. Correcting traditional dualistic perspectives on the mind-body relationship, recent studies advocate for a tripartite model (body, mind, and soul) to offer a holistic and nuanced comprehension of human cognition. Our investigation, spanning Catholic Poland (n = 225), Orthodox Ukraine (n = 272), and Islamic Kazakhstan (n = 198), validates the intuitive association of the soul beyond the mind. The results suggest that the soul operates independently of the mind, reflecting deep cultural and religious integration into human cognition. The ethical implications of distinguishing the soul from the mind are evident in participants’ moral dilemma judgments. This research advances cross-cultural comprehension of cultural influences on mental concept development in social contexts.