Do we truly even have souls?
Consciousness is existent because of our brain.
When we die, we won't go to heaven or anything.. we just cease to be conscious because our brain has stopped working.
I think when people have experiences where they die for a moment, they report seeing things because after slipping unconscious from whatever pain/ trauma, your brain does the same as it does when you're dreaming, that's why they claim to see dead relatives. It's simply their brain projecting a dream- like situation until their energy runs out, and their brain comes to a complete stop.
If this is true, it would bring us to the conclusion that we have no souls. We're simply our brain, and when it dies, we die.
That means when you die, it truly is like how it was before you were born.. just.. nothing..
What do you all think?
10 Comments • Newest first
I agree; so goes the evidence of the Bible if studied responsibly (I.e. historical-grammatical method, taking into account context and language).
The word soul used in scripture refers to our living state. At death, it ceases to exist.
Now, I wouldn't go as far as to explain away consciousness on the basis of a materialistic paradigm as there are attributes for which it cannot account, the existence of self-reflective life being the first that comes to mind. Though we have taught animals to communicate with us, the reality is that they've never so much as asked a question. At some level, there's a dividing line.
[quote=Aeon128]Pretty much what StrongestEvan said, you can't really use science or other means to prove or disprove either. But i will tell you to read a book called On being certain by robert burton i believe, he's a neurologist, but to put it shortly we still don't have any clue where humans store all the information and images in our brain, the most we know about are they are neural networks that process everything in a "hidden layer"( seriously that's what the neurologist calls it in the book). So if we have our most specialized scientist not knowing what the hell is going on in our brain, do you really think you can draw a conclusion on what is truth and what isn't? Humans are quite limited in what we can acknowledge and our subconscious actually picks up EVERYTHING else, if we were to bring the calculations and thought processes the subconscious carries out into the conscious we would be completly overwhelmed and prolly wouldn't be able to function. So to answer the question of if we have a soul or not, let's just say the answer is out of our grasp, you simple have to rely on faith that which ever answer you chose is right.
My personal opinion, i believe in God and heaven etc, so by faith i believe in a soul, you figure out what you want to believe in AFTER looking and going over the possible options for yourself.[/quote]
I very much appreciate this answer.
It's definitely more interesting than the others, and I feel obligated to say that you're probably correct.
@brandonisback except we're talking about religion..
@Aryanprince wouldn't those be choices?
Pretty much what StrongestEvan said, you can't really use science or other means to prove or disprove either. But i will tell you to read a book called On being certain by robert burton i believe, he's a neurologist, but to put it shortly we still don't have any clue where humans store all the information and images in our brain, the most we know about are they are neural networks that process everything in a "hidden layer"( seriously that's what the neurologist calls it in the book). So if we have our most specialized scientist not knowing what the hell is going on in our brain, do you really think you can draw a conclusion on what is truth and what isn't? Humans are quite limited in what we can acknowledge and our subconscious actually picks up EVERYTHING else, if we were to bring the calculations and thought processes the subconscious carries out into the conscious we would be completly overwhelmed and prolly wouldn't be able to function. So to answer the question of if we have a soul or not, let's just say the answer is out of our grasp, you simple have to rely on faith that which ever answer you chose is right.
My personal opinion, i believe in God and heaven etc, so by faith i believe in a soul, you figure out what you want to believe in AFTER looking and going over the possible options for yourself.
[quote=DrDonkers]I think people should let people believe what they want and not try to prove them wrong.[/quote]
If nobody proved anyone else wrong, we'd still think the earth was flat.
@FreeWii4Mii - I agree, thank you for answering.
@BrandonIsBack it's not something I see as important
science says no, but who knows
everyone wants to think there's an afterlife because it's impossible to comprehend not being conscious forever (you only know you've slept because you wake up the next morning)
I think people should let people believe what they want and not try to prove them wrong.
[quote=StrongestEvan]I don't take a side, because there is no proof to show that is exists, and there is no proof that shows it doesn't exist[/quote]
I respect that, but I believe it's good to at least explore possibilities with your own mind. But thanks for the response.
@FriedSnake: Why not?
Idk/idc