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Medieval (European Christian 5-15th century) theologians used to argue between a few ideas about the origin of the soul (creationism, traducianism & pre-existence). However, was any belief about the origin of the soul widespread enough in this spacetime, that it would also affect the common people's lives?

For instance, I imagine the belief in the pre-existence of the soul could imply that the wealth that one is born into could already be a punishment or a reward for one's life before birth.

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    Related: WP: Soul. That site already mentions three different beliefs regarding the origin of souls for Christianity alone (creationism, traducianism, and pre-existence. Also, your question implies Euro-centrism without actually saying so, which would significantly impact the scope of an answer,..
    – DevSolar
    Commented Jul 18, 2022 at 14:29
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    @MCW My question asks about widely held medieval Christian, that is, European beliefs between 5-15th century.
    – Probably
    Commented Jul 20, 2022 at 12:14
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    @DevSolar Thanks for these links, they're a great answer to 1b)
    – Probably
    Commented Jul 20, 2022 at 12:17
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    I support a re-open and would cast a fifth vote.
    – MCW ♦
    Commented Jul 22, 2022 at 12:50
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    Now I'm curious... not strictly related to this question, but I wonder about the trope of changeling children and the notion of ensoulment?
    – MCW ♦
    Commented Jul 22, 2022 at 12:51

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