How could I account for PERSONAL IDENTITY without a soul?

Question

assume we don't have souls. (people who wish to say otherwise need not answer this question, this is an academic question.)

How do you account for personal identity? Where does it come from? How do we help it to progress? Does it die when our bodies do? What does it consist of?

Answer 1

Interesting; discarding the fact that your question is kind of an oxymoron—as personality is the manifestation of soul—I would suggest that genetics and talents or lack thereof, plus exposure to different life circumstances could in itself produce different behavioural traits in an individual may s/he have no soul, thus demonstrating personal identity if that is seen in the different ways a person reacts to her/his environment.

For example, let’s say that genetics predispose someone to be comfortable in public and because of that, an individual having that specific “talent” to be able to express themselves very well, add to the genetic profile that this individual has talent as a writer/thinker, this mix would produce someone who can write plays of great social meaning, or write essays of great intelligence. Now, does this define personal identity? I guess is does in a sense.

But personal identity would not be possible without the capacity for the brain to remember, preserve and also reproduce a given behaviour.

And in regards to your wondering about the evolution of personality, again I think that memory is essential as without it, no behavioural patterns can be repeated and addition of elements of complexity to the previous memorized conceptual material (personality traits), wouldn’t be possible. But for evolution (progress) to occur, a desire for change has to be manifested. Now where and what is desire? All human beings have that in their heart, a will, and many of them. An even more interesting question than “what” and “where” is why? Why desire?

I think that personality and soul disappear with the body at death. Our fear of loosing everything upon death makes us hope that when we die, we don’t totally die. It does hurt to think all goes away. Oh! This precious life of mine, so short… I believe that this fear of death is also what makes us (humans) cling so eagerly to religions who claim soul does not die. Our attachment to life is so great that nihilism is our worse nightmare but also our greatest source of wonderment.

A very interesting question, I had a good time pondering upon it :)

Answer 2

It may be reincarnation!
We continue to come back until we get all of our lessons worked out - to the absolute fullest.
You asked if it dies when our bodies do - but you said assume we don't have souls - So what exactly are you suggesting would die!?! THE BODY or THE SOUL...
The body will always DIE.
There must be something inside that rears self motivation - Be that soul, spirit..
Where does it come from - Also where does it Go = NO ONE KNOWS (only assumes or believe what 'faith' has taught them - Which Give Them A Reason To BE!

Answer 3

There is a broad range of definitions and understanding of what people believe a soul to be. Certainly an immortal soul would not be a pre-requisite to have a personal identity. On the other hand if your definition of a soul is the unique personal identity of a person then of course it would be a contradiction to say one has a soul and not a personal identity.

Answer 4

nicely !! a million) what's your theory approximately soul? awareness is soul in my opinion... 2) the place will the soul bypass after loss of existence? Soul is an capability which makes us to act.. capability can under no circumstances be destroyed, even though it transforms to a distinctive kind ( like yet another human physique, animal or perhaps plant ) 3) Will there be any substitute in the finished kind of souls in Universe..?? Hmm. are you able to tell me what number air, water & hearth are there in universe ?? attempt to comprehend the fact.. Soul is an capability.. 4) .Can the souls consume foodstuff without mouth and enamel...?? Very very humorous question ! Soul itself is an capability, Soul isn't a physique to sense like starvation or any actual soreness.. Its the version between the digital products & electric powered cutting-edge.. 5) Why won't be in a position to they pluck some end result from timber....?? seek advice from the 4th question's answer..

Answer 5

You can't.

It's not there. It's not the "mind" not the "body"
It's irreducible or indeterminate.

I VOTE FOR IT NOT BEING THERE

It's a vestigal convention, we are constantly changing. There is no sufficient and necessary condition that can't be analyzed into dust. If you want to make it FUZZY and just call it a set of temporary desires, wishes, intentions, memories-- fine. BUT ONLY as long as you remember it's JUST a pragmatic solution. It's a category that doesn't exist.

Answer 6

the soul doesnt have an identity. your identity is your ego. when you die, it dies too. your true self is the soul. the soul never dies.

Answer 7

well you would be dead i hope and by then you wouldnt really care for personal idenity

Answer 8

nurture and nature.