If my brain was transplanted into another's body, would that person have my soul, would they be me?

Question

Assuming that brain transplantation is possible (I know, I know, probably not!).

If you believe in souls,

Is the soul in the brain?
Does this mean that the soul is a brain function?
If the soul is in the body/not an physical entity, would this new
person have their soul with my memories/experiences?
What would this imply?

Even if you don't believe in souls

How much does the body affect the brain?
Is there any 'body consciousness' that may affect the new
brain?

Even eschewing the matter of the soul for a second to touch on a (slightly) more scientific area of the self, would this new person (my brain, their body) have my consciousness assuming consciousness to be the 'binding, what-it's-like-to-be-me-at-this-moment' of all sensations, memories, actions, emotions, etc.?

Answer 1

I personally believe that our souls come only from our brains. We are sentient creatures, so we like to believe that there is something about ourselves that lasts longer than the biological machine we walk around in. If your brain were to be transplanted successfully into another body, you would simply wake up and wonder why you look so strange.

Answer 2

For those that do believe in souls, they believe that the soul is something that enters your body soon after conception and leaves at death, it is not a physical part of the body but part of the consciousness. Any 'body' that houses it is really just the 'host' body and has not a huge amount to do with it.

If brain transplants were possible, it would contain all the memory engrams accumulated over the course of a person's life, all the skills and experience and personality unique to that person.
That person would be the same, regardless of what body he/she now inhabited.

(Unless it's a man into a woman's or a woman into a man's) The chemistry in the bodies is different and personality may well undergo changes

Answer 3

Totally impossible to transplant a brain in 2006, and will be the same for a very long time to come!

Not sure of your link between the Brain and the Soul!

Are you thinking about memories etc? More in depth explanation please if possible!

The soul really has no place in your question from a medical / scientific stance, however from a religious or spiritual viewpoint then all sorts of connotations come into play!

Here your question then becomes both highly complex, highly deep and highly personal to an individuals point of view or faith that they may adhere to!

Will highlight this question to read some of the feedback you receive, as long as there are not too many 'radicals' which I see have already started to appear and enforce they own secular points across by 'cut and paste' methods.

Cheers......

Good luck and many thanks..;-)

Answer 4

First of all brain can not be transplanted.If at all it can be transplanted the other brain must be dead and the repective soul gone to heaven or hell.Death of brain is treated as death of man.Since your brain(if any)survives then your soul is still there.As regards where is the soul there are a lot of difference in opinion.
According to Hindu religion,soul is in heart.At the time of death it goes up and escapes through the top of head.According to Christanity also in some pictures Jesus is shown as his heart open.So it seems seat of soul is heart.
Some theory is that soul envelopes the head externally and it can not be seen to naked eyes.Infra red pictures show some sort of aura.These people say soul is always awake even when the body is sleeping.It is the soul that calls you and awaken from normal sleep.Nothing is proved

Answer 5

I believe that souls exist, but I wouldn't describe it as a brain function. Although this person would have your memories(they are stored in your brain after all) I don't think they would be you. If we both have an experience we will react in a different way(I'm refering to the way it will affect us-that would be different). I think this is due to the fact that there is more to it(in my opinion) than chemical reactions happening inside our bodies. I think "the soul" is what makes us superior to animals. Of course it is our consciousness too, but I think that after a point the soul is what makes us ask questions("is there a God out there etc).

Answer 6

The "if I were you" question is coverd by Willard v.Orman Quine, and (counterfactual identical) (does not work) - but your example is really more an anatomical question, which has already been done in a siminan model in Ohio. The real issues are accuracy in spinal cord connection, which is really difficult, and sideissues are hormone signalling originating in the brain which may be to high/low for organs.
You will make progress with the "Soul" issue if you sit down and write down a list of attributes a Soul has.
The monkey could not walk I believe.

Fight traffic congestion
http://www.hallisystem.bravehost.com

Answer 7

Your soul is not in your brain. Your soul is a separate part of you. That is why when you pass and go to Heaven or Hell depending on your choice to accept or reject Jesus Christ, your body is dead but your spirit or soul is very much alive and living. Your brain will no longer function but your soul is alive and well and resting with God until the moment He sends His Son, Jesus, to come back for all those who chose to accept Him as their personal savior.

1 Thessalonians 14:16,17 "For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then those who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord iin the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."

Answer 8

Its a well known fact that your soul lives in your lower back. You should commit a bunch of sins, and then have your brain transplanted into someone with a pure soul. Really this is a flawless plan to cheat your way into heaven.

Answer 9

I don't believe in souls, and I think that all conciousness is inside the brain. The new body could definitely affect your mental state and how you act because of things like hormones that may be different in this body than your old one.

Answer 10

i dont so much believe in stuff like reincarnation, i think we're who we are , even if somehow we were like a king or something before now, we have no proof anyway. Other than that, sure, i believe in souls, like something like a brain and heart combined. Well, whether or not you would have someones memories and feelings depends mostly on, at least now, what your religios beliefs are, or at least mostly. But until we find the answer do the meaning of life, it depends on what you believe.