So instead of saying that the vegetative and animal souls disappear because the spiritual soul must inform prime matter directly, it is possible to say that the vegetative soul is taken up into the broader and deeper animal soul, and the animal soul in its turn is taken up into the broader and deeper spiritual soul so that the spiritual soul contains within it virtually the animal soul which, in turn, contains within it virtually the vegetative soul. While at first glance this may appear like a rather strange arrangement, it follows the path of evolution in general. Elements are taken up into molecules, molecules into plants, and plants into animals. Why does this happen? It is because this is the only way in which more complex and conscious beings can come about. In our case the human spirit, while it is spiritual and thus exists on the other side of the threshold that divides matter and spirit, is the least intensive of spiritual beings, which means that it needs help in order to actualize itself and become what it is meant to be. This is the role that the body plays. The body by nature is not a hindrance to the development of the soul, and its exercise of intellect, will and consciousness, but the very means by which the soul exercises its spiritual powers.