To say that the soul is 'essentially' immortal means that __________.

• A. the soul by its very nature cannot die
• B. the soul's immortality depends on good deeds
• C. immortality is earned by virtue
• D. immortality is an illusion

Answer: (A)

Essential immortality means that immortality is an intrinsic property of the soul—it's part of what the soul is, not something earned or granted by outside factors. When immortality is described as essential, it stays with the soul by its very nature, regardless of actions or circumstances. That’s why the statement the soul by its very nature cannot die best captures the idea: immortality is inherent, not contingent on good deeds or virtue, and not an illusion. The other options describe immortality as conditional on behavior or as an illusion, which contradicts the notion of something that is inherently part of the soul’s being.