IS there any reason to think humans have a soul? [Spirituality & Religion]

I mean besides a religion telling you there is one.
What about humans indicates there is something more than in other animals? Something that exists beyond the physical body?

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SW-User

It's anecdotal evidence. I can tell you that every tribe known to man has some sort of construct for God or an afterlife, but it's not proof. I can tell you there's a quality that surpasses mere biological life that can be seen in the eyes of the living but is utterly absent in the eyes of the dead, but that's not proof. I can share stories of those who swear they've felt the presence of a loved one, but again...

It's said that for those who believe, no explanation is necessary and for those who don't, no explanation will suffice. It comes down to faith in the end, a knowing. We possess all the genes, chromosomes and alleles we need to make us unique, but what in us yearns for answers beyond this world if not a part of us that was connected to it?

(And you make the quick assumption human souls might exist but animal souls do not. Not so sure about that.)

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MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

@Oconnor: Well, so are you, really. All you have is your unverified, untested opinion. Unless you've conducted a test to see if you could tell the difference
Think on this: If it's so obvious when someone is dead then why are there so many instances (even in modern times) of living people being declared dead?
Why are there so many contraptions to verify whether or not someone is dead?

Why aren't they just looking into their eyes and seeing (or not seeing) that extra something?
It's almost as if looking for the soul behind their eyes isn't at all a reliable way to tell if someone is dead....

SW-User

@UnparalleledMonster: No, you are incorrect. You're telling me what the Grand Canyon looks like...except that you've never been there. I don't have to describe it - I've already been.

People work on those thought dead but actually living based on vital signs and logarithms learned while studying medicine. It's not based on eyes.

You can choose not to subscribe to my belief, but you're in no position to counter it. If you're looking for some kind of incontrovertible truth, study science. Faith is no place for criticism.

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

@Oconnor:

Yeah. I know. The reason they're thought dead is because they're not showing vital signs.

If there was something utterly absent in the eyes of the dead that is clear to see in the living then this would not be a problem.

What i'm telling you is that you don't know shit. You see a dead person (presumably with associated mechanical signals or with prior knowledge) and decide there's "something behind the eyes"that is no longer there.

I'm telling you you're full of shit and until you want to claim that you can reliably tell the difference then you can shut up about it.

BellaLocura · 51-55, F

Well I am really into paranormal stuff and that has led me to believe that there exists something beyond the physical realm.

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BellaLocura · 51-55, F

@nurseVneck: it's really interesting.

quinnVneck · 31-35, F

@BellaLocura: a friend of mine really wants a course in college that focuses on the paranormal stuff

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

@BellaLocura:

lol well i wouldn't pay any attention to bullshit like ghost adventures.
But i do wonder why there is so much anecdotal evidence of ghosts

SW-User

Humans are unique in our complexities in the animal kingdom. Without understanding the role of evolution or psychology, it would be considered reasonable for a person thousands of years ago to presume the existence of a soul. We know a lot more about our species today, thankfully

AlmightyLoad · 26-30

a soul no but the frontal cortex could be argued is the soul in a way as it makes who you are

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AlmightyLoad · 26-30

just some high school science lol

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

Well that's sort of what i'm talking about here. There are physical structures in the brain that make us who we are as individuals. Things that allow us to feel love an anger and empathy and sadness. But why do people believe there is aything extra?

AlmightyLoad · 26-30

@UnparalleledMonster: well that is due to religion not all are as open to this billions of people still believe in sky daddy's and unicorn riding Mohammed

curiosi · 61-69, F

Dr. MacDougall concluded that a human soul weighed 21 grams. He did experiments weighing people right before and at the moment of death.

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

@curiosi

And i assume you are aware of how brutally is experiments were debunked?

curiosi · 61-69, F

@UnparalleledMonster: Look into the eyes of a sociopath/psychopath, it's obvious they have no soul.

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

@curiosi:

Yeah...that's not as convincing as you might think.
I've never looked into anyone's eyes and thought "oh yeah, they deffs have a soul". Or vice versa.
Certainly you might recognize a lack of empathy or interpersonal engagement. Not sure what that has to do with the presence of a soul.
Do you have a more compelling argument?

Silverfox420 · 36-40, F

I feel there is something. I don't know what, but I guess I'll find out eventually.

SStarfish ·

Yes

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

yes what?

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