View Full Version : Body and "Soul"
TeckGuru
2005-07-11, 09:12
The human soul. It is invisible. Undetectable by any human means. We now have technology that includes X-rays, CAT-scans, MRI, ultrasound, oscilloscopes, infrared photography, spectrometers, colorimeters, pyrheliometers -- we have “meters” out the wazoo. All these and more augment our own human senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Still, the thing is imperceptible and thoroughly invisible. But the majority of the human population nevertheless is convinced that it exists. They believe there is such a thing as the human “soul.”
The desire for a “soul” is easy to understand. We know that our bodies die and decompose, just like all other animals. But we don’t want to be just like all other animals. Who wants to stay dead? Surely we are far more important than other animals. Surely we are connected somehow to the eternal Cosmos. Surely we have a “soul.”
It is one huge philosophical leap to go from wanting something to stating categorically that the something exists. With zero proof, how did we end up doing that very thing in so many cultures in so many eras? That’s fairly easy to answer. Ego. The human ego knows few bounds. My, we’re important!
Soul is just a word, which basically stands for one's self awareness. When your brain dies, so does your soul. The illusion people create themselves that their soul will exist into eternity is simply a side effect of one's self existence. It's a defense mechanism of one self in the hope to make peace with the fact it will cease to exist.
There is no reason for our soul to exist into eternity. We are temporary, like cells in a body. We just oil the gears of humanity. Be glad with the time that is give to you, because time is all we have. Spend it wisely, because you live only once. Your self awareness exist only once. And if you hold it dear, enjoy every minute of it to its fullest extent. Don't go wasting your time on ideals of others. You'll just be another wasted shit.
Osiris89
2005-08-27, 22:57
quote:Originally posted by Snoopy:
Soul is just a word, which basically stands for one's self awareness. When your brain dies, so does your soul. The illusion people create themselves that their soul will exist into eternity is simply a side effect of one's self existence. It's a defense mechanism of one self in the hope to make peace with the fact it will cease to exist.
There is no reason for our soul to exist into eternity. We are temporary, like cells in a body. We just oil the gears of humanity. Be glad with the time that is give to you, because time is all we have. Spend it wisely, because you live only once. Your self awareness exist only once. And if you hold it dear, enjoy every minute of it to its fullest extent. Don't go wasting your time on ideals of others. You'll just be another wasted shit.
If the endpoint is nihilism, then there is no reason to exist. Regardless, spending your time enjoying life and living life to the fullest might be a reason to live.
Some people had near-death-experiences. They believe your consciousness can travel into a different 'body' and this body detaches upon death. I think that there are many mysteries to solve still...
Metalligod
2005-08-28, 05:34
quote:Originally posted by Snoopy:
Soul is just a word, which basically stands for one's self awareness. When your brain dies, so does your soul. The illusion people create themselves that their soul will exist into eternity is simply a side effect of one's self existence. It's a defense mechanism of one self in the hope to make peace with the fact it will cease to exist.
There is no reason for our soul to exist into eternity. We are temporary, like cells in a body. We just oil the gears of humanity. Be glad with the time that is give to you, because time is all we have. Spend it wisely, because you live only once. Your self awareness exist only once. And if you hold it dear, enjoy every minute of it to its fullest extent. Don't go wasting your time on ideals of others. You'll just be another wasted shit.
Wow, I'm astouded, this is the ONLY eloquent and intelligent post I've ever read of yours.....
The others were fueled with mostly anger and annoyance; and they therefore, come off as belligerent and unintelligent. Wow, it's amazing how ppl change...... Or what other characteristics they have in store.
AngryFemme
2005-08-29, 00:03
quote:Originally posted by TeckGuru:
My, we’re important!
We like to think so, anyway. But we're wired that way. I totally agree that our egos create the need for spiritualism and supernaturalism.
I just wonder which one came first, the concept of soul or the concept of afterlife?
Was the soul created by our minds to support the belief of the afterlife, or did the strong desire for an afterlife spring up first, creating the idea in our minds that we have souls?
People will say that there is no way the concept of afterlife could exist without the soul already present, but that's not necessarily so. Maybe the afterlife meme came to be as soon as we developed the self-awareness possible to grieve our inevitable demise. Perhaps it sprang to life as a coping mechanism for dealing with the finality of it all.
Without one, the need for the other would be diminished. Together, they create the ultimate memeplex that drives a person's most hardcore belief system.
And I use the word "drives" quite literally. Once active, this mind virus takes over nearly every aspect of their existence and gaurantees it's longevity by copying itself into the brains of other people, strengthening it's foothold in our culture.
NightVision
2005-08-29, 04:03
Nuclear Radiation was also undetectable a few years agow. Your senses could not detect it untill your hair started falling out and you skin falling off. We don't exactally know what a soul is. Is it the electricity that is stimulating our braincells? who knows of we have some type of sould or its just electricity. Has anyone [snoopy?] tripped on enough DXM so taht they had a Near Death Expierence? Hook someone up to some of those 1337 sensors and that might prove/disprove a soul depending on brain activity.
The_Rabbi
2005-08-29, 04:13
quote:Originally posted by TeckGuru:
It is one huge philosophical leap to go from wanting something to stating categorically that the something exists. With zero proof, how did we end up doing that very thing in so many cultures in so many eras? That’s fairly easy to answer. Ego. The human ego knows few bounds. My, we’re important!
I'd consider the sheer ability to declare ourselves important is proof positive.
quote:Originally posted by The_Rabbi:
I'd consider the sheer ability to declare ourselves important is proof positive.
That is proof of self-awareness not of souls.
The_Rabbi
2005-09-07, 06:18
quote:Originally posted by Sarter:
That is proof of self-awareness not of souls.
One and the same, in my opinion.
quote:Originally posted by The_Rabbi:
One and the same, in my opinion.
In my opinion you should stay on-topic. The original poster is not questioning the existance of self-awareness.
I for one am also interested in why people who don't even follow religion believe in souls without ever trying to connect the dots from reality to belief.
SurahAhriman
2005-09-07, 07:13
quote:Originally posted by The_Rabbi:
One and the same, in my opinion.
Self awareness doesn't necessitate something from our conciousness living on after we die. In a religous sense, thats the definition of a soul.