What is a soul? Can it ever really be understood?

[Rozellelily]

This Catholic website seems to suggest that the soul is,at least partly, the intellect/cognition.
However,this would then suggest that people who had disorders that cause a severe cognitive loss/decline (eg:some Dementias and schizophrenia’s) then have lost a part of their soul and surely that isn’t correct??

The soul “operates” through the brain-mind or rather the soul is the mind?
If someone is brain damaged and in coma there mind function is gone but priests still pray for the soul so surely they must be distinct?
It’s very confusing!

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08066a.htm

 

[Dan_Defender]

To St. Thomas Aquinas, the soul is a motivating principle of the body, independent but requiring the substance of the body to make an individual.

 

[Bonaventurian]

The soul is the relationship between all of your parts to make you “you.” It is the immaterial nature of your being comprised of your intellect and will.

When it comes to cognitive impairment or disability, the individual effected still has their complete soul. The issue is that the hardware, i.e. their body, is not functioning properly to allow the intellect and will to act. It’s like trying to (name removed by moderator)ut commands into a computer with a broken keyboard. You might have some function, but the hardware you are using is defective.