Moreover, most animals would be without soul.
Animals are intrinsically conditioned to behave the way they do. A newly born crab does the same thing its hundred of brothers and sisters do; move into the ocean.
Human brain has evolved and has led to memory, which is a defining part of the soul, along with conscientious.
I am an atheist btw. So what do you think?
2007-02-05 03:57:58 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Pretty good thinking, even though people are considered a part of the animal kingdom- Plato states the soul exists between its union with the body in a transcendental realm where it beheld the universal concepts or ideas. The process of knowledge consists in recollection, in remembering the ideas which the soul once beheld clearly in its state of pre-existence.
2007-02-05 04:20:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Moreover, most animals would be without soul."
I must disagree. All sentient beings, in my humble opinion, have souls. Yes, they are programmed via genetics to behave in a specific manner. So are we. The moment a baby is born, the infant's natural instinct is to suckle - to find the breast.
Animals also have memory otherwise they could not learn. And they do. Take your dog to obedience school and see what happens. They will learn. Treat a feral cat with love. See what happens. They, without question, learn.
The soul, in my humble opinion, is the energy that animates the body or vessel within which it resides. It is aided by intelligence, consciousness and memory, but it can survive without an abundance of the three components that you put forth. A human being, lying in a coma, attests to that fact.
2007-02-05 12:07:55 · answer #2 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your statements at best constitute a hypothesis, not a theory. Theories are considered valid to the extent that they best explain a phenomena as demonstrated by credible evidence. Example: The theory of gravity is a theory, and not just an idea or hypothesis, because scientific evidence demonstrates that this theory is the best explanation for the phenomena of attraction i.e. why objects with mass are drawn together.
For your hypothesis to pass this criteria and be labelled a theory, you would need to provide credible data that demonstrates your comments are the most reasonable explanation for the phenomena commonly known as "the soul."
Unfortunately, at this time, there is insufficient evidence to even prove the existence of the soul.
2007-02-05 12:09:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a bad thought at all.
We are made in God's image and likeness.. and I don't think that has much to do with our outer shell but our intelligence, our being and our memories all part of our spirit.
I read somewhere they declare a body dead when the brain stops functioning now. Before it was when your heart ceased to beat. People want to house the spirit in the brain but I think its within our entire body.
As far as animals are concerned I think some animals will be in Heaven, those asked for by doting owners and those who did great service to mankind.
2007-02-05 12:07:16 · answer #4 · answered by Tapestry6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with everything except I do believe animals can have intelligence and a soul. I have been around animals throughout my life, almost 55 years, and have seen animals use intelligence. Yes, some of it is just instinct, other behaviors are learned, but I know of several different species who have used intelligence....elephants, cats, dogs, cows, hippos, certain other wild animals. I have also watched many documentaries on animals and am convinced many use intelligence and have souls.
I am an Eclectic Pagan, BTW.
2007-02-05 12:24:11 · answer #5 · answered by Nepetarias 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since the word 'soul' originates in the Bible, why not accept the Bible's definition?
Genesis 2:7 "God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul. . ."
Please note: "CAME TO BE" not received, but came TO BE!
Man IS a soul.
Form a human body, put in 'breath of life' and you got yourself a soul.
Animals are also souls since they are made up of the 2 basic ingredients: flesh and breath Genesis 1:24,25.
2007-02-05 12:15:54 · answer #6 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If humans are so well-evolved then why haven't humans found a way to stop dying? But, I guess, in terms of evolution, humans just evolve in certain aspects.......(huh?) So, tomorrow you could have 5 hands because it will help you to handle things better right? Stop it. Give your life to Christ, the one who made everything. (Ephesians 2:10)
2007-02-05 12:11:35 · answer #7 · answered by C.O.G. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scripture is clear. Man was formed from the dust, and the Almighty breathed breath into Him, and He became a living soul. To be a soul, you must have body and breath.
2007-02-05 12:01:16 · answer #8 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is more to it. You can not make a computer conscious simply by adding more transistors and you can not make a human conscious just by adding more brain cells. The soul is a small part of God "Holy Spirit" that lives within us.
2007-02-05 12:05:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bertrum Russel wrote a paper called "What is Soul?" many years ago that I think you would be interested in and would enjoy.
2007-02-06 00:48:16 · answer #10 · answered by Miz Val 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋