Ensoulment

[thomasaquinas3]

A friend of mine approached me recently and asked about ensoulment; when does a person receive his or her soul? A rather philosophical Luthern Biology teacher said he wasn't sure, but suggested that a soul might be something slowly developed...I am skeptical of his position, but a few questions were raised in my mind. I understand that a major thesis could be written from a theological and philosophical standpoint on the process of ensoulment, but if you could try to explain an answer on the following questions, it would be much appreciated. When does a person receive a soul? If it is at the moment of conception, then what about twins? Does the zygote possess a soul, and then once the split occurs, another soul is added? It would seem, after reading the CCC, in the 360s, that the soul is created prior to conception, under the infinite knowledge of God, and then is "fused" to become one with the flesh at conception. So possibly God creates two souls, and then "fuses" them at His predestined time? I understand this will probably all be philosophical in nature, and not be too terribly vital to any sort of faith issues, but any sort of answer that can be provided would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time, and God bless you and keep you.

Your brother in Christ,

Thomas Aquinas 3

[cappie]

Check out the following:

[url="http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=4295"]LINK[/url]

[phatcatholic]

also, as far as how twinning effects our understanding of the embryo as a human being, see this link:
[url="http://www2.franciscan.edu/plee/wsj.htm"]http://www2.franciscan.edu/plee/wsj.htm[/url]