Why do people think it is real? have we proved its real?
2007-03-21 03:51:33 · 11 answers · asked by clutchstevens 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is faith. If you don't believe in God. Don't worry about questioning your soul's existence.
2007-03-21 03:55:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
What could a soul be?
If it's postulated that consciousness, or awareness, or sense of self resides in the soul, it's difficult to see how this can be reconciled with the complete oblivion which accompanies general anaesthesia. How could a straightforward chemical, injected into the bloodstream, anaesthetise a soul so that it effectively ceases to exist during this time? If consciousness, in the form of a soul, were some kind of supernatural faculty, it would seem implausible that it could be completely disabled by a chemical.
How about some of the other things which we regard as essential parts of what makes a person what they are? How about love, compassion, reason, empathy, memory, conscious thought, character, 'spirituality' and so on? Well, there is really no plausible doubt that all these things are properties of the physical brain - We can alter all of these properties very simply with alcohol or other drugs, and observe how they change in people who have suffered significant brain damage. Previously placid people become uncontrollably violent, intelligent people become imbeciles, and so on. Stimulate the brain artificially, and the subject reports corresponding mental activity, e.g. 'religious experiences'. We can see from brain research that all these things - thought, emotion, sensation, character traits and so on - are correlated with activity in the brain, and some things can be identified with specific areas of the brain.
So, if all these faculties and characteristics of what we regard as the 'person' reside in the physical brain, as seems to be undeniably the case, and they all cease when the person dies, then what is left to be attributed to a 'soul'? As far as I can ascertain: Nothing. If there is no part of us that can continue after death, then there is no 'afterlife'... and if there is no afterlife, then most of religion is null and void.
2007-03-21 03:55:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Back in the year 14 AD the great Augustus Caesar was cremated . As the smoke rise up from the burning Caesar, all the Senators watched in silence.
One of the oldest and most honored of the Senators, Numerious Atticus announced that he clearly saw the soul of Augustus rise from the funeral pyre and ascend into heaven to join his ancestors . For being so observent he was awarded one million sesteres.
No, I don't believe in "souls".
2007-03-21 04:17:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no "proof," in that there is no evidence that I can show you that will cause you to believe that there is. However, any person who honestly and diligently seeks an answer to this question will be given all of the proof that they need. But, if you already think you know all there is to know about the subject, it is impossible for you to learn anything different. Peace to you.
2007-03-21 04:14:40 · answer #4 · answered by Susan H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not getting into the expostulations of other theories, you've got to wonder if the "soul" itself is the electrical impulse of the heart beat, continuously regulating the current of blood through the body, giving out warmth and life. Remove the electric impulse, everything ceases and grows cold. A subconscious event, where you don't even think of it unless you question it's presence.
2007-03-21 04:03:39 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Apart from stories and anecdotes, most of which are hearsay, there is no real evidence.
Personally I don't see the need to believe in the 'soul'. It's clearly nonsense once one studies biology.
2007-03-21 04:04:29 · answer #6 · answered by Atheistic 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the soul is the center of the conscience, thoughts. The inner voice inside of you!!
2007-03-21 04:06:06 · answer #7 · answered by Not Of This World 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why do people think it's real? Duh, cuz that's what they've been told all their lives. God forbid they look in the Bible and find for themselves that the soul is no more than the live a creature enjoys...
2007-03-21 04:01:54 · answer #8 · answered by DwayneWayne 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is no proof. That is because there is no such thing.
It's another in a long line of fairy tales and outright lies told by christians.
2007-03-21 04:07:03 · answer #9 · answered by Yoda Green 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The soul is: the mind,will and emotions and is evident in my opinion.
2007-03-21 04:06:42 · answer #10 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋