Neurophysiology makes a strong case for the non-existence of anything like an immaterial soul.?

Question

If personality resides in the soul, then how can drugs and brain damage affect it?

Answer 1

you know a lot

Answer 2

It's a bit like asking 'how can experience affect your personality?'

Our personalities do seem to change with time. Change or just our perception of our identity changing? I'm sure both.

I think whatever scientific knowledge we may have, even if a million times better than now, people will still be asking your question. Religious believers don't usually need any physical proof for anything, tho miracles seem to set them into a frenzy. I guess that the believers would argue that our physical experience and interaction with our souls would be altered, following drugs or brain damage. Kind of a no-win argument, cos we'll always only be able to observe the physical.

I've had severe brain damage and there's an essence of me that's still the same, I'm sure it's a physical thing, not some pie-in-the-sky non-physical thing.

Rob

Answer 3

You are taking the fact that 'personality resides in the soul', for granted. I've always been of the opinion that personality is individual to the person's social interaction, development and upbringing - more a follower of the 'nurture' than 'nature' philosophy. For personality to reside in the soul, then personality would have to be a constant and it isnt. for the reasons you mentioned but also for the fact that human beings are designed to learn. and as we learn our personality undoubtedly changes.

Take a journey with me into a shady allegory.

Two cars. one is a bright red ferrari, the other is a navy blue volvo. one fast and exciting, one is sturdy and reliable. if we take a leap and say that these things are the cars personality - we can see that these things are apparent because of the way they were put togther and painted etc. (social nurture theory). both are capable of travel, all their parts work. (the physical body) but to make them go you need a driver (the soul).

Answer 4

There are many possible theories and explanations. Let's just say that humans are a mixture of material and nonmaterial or spiritual or moral elements.

The drugs affect the body but all is connected. So is someone messes up the body, it obviously causes some type of emotional reactions. These reactions could sink the person or cause him/her to find a better way to live.

Answer 5

For instance, a stroke affects how we move or speak. But inside the head of the still alive victim, they are still thinking and desiring to act in a way we outsiders can understand. The spirit and intillect are still there, thinking and feeling like before, it's the interface that is broken.