The old duality of body and soul has become shrouded in scientific terminology, and we can laugh at it as merely an obsolete prejudice.But just make someone who has fallen in love listen to his stomach rumble, and the unity of body and soul, that lyrical illusion of the age of science, instantly fades away.
Milan Kundera in "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" reflects on the complexity of the body-soul relationship, suggesting that scientific advancements have obscured this ancient dualism, leading to a dismissive attitude towards it. This shift has turned what was once a profound philosophical debate into an outdated idea or prejudice, often met with humor by modern thinkers.
However, Kundera points out that despite this intellectual dismissal, the experience of love can reveal the inherent connection between the body and soul. When someone in love is interrupted by a physical sensation, such as a rumbling stomach, the notion of a seamless unity between the two aspects of human existence is challenged, highlighting the persistent, tangible reality of bodily experiences entwined with emotional states.
