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?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

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.)

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

[quote] 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,[/quote]

Gonna have to call bullshit on that one. I guarantee you that you cannot reliably tell the difference between a freshly dead person and a person pretending to be dead in the movies.

[quote]what in us yearns for answers beyond this world if not a part of us that was connected to it?[/quote]

It's just the curiosity instinct. The urge to explore and understand. Traits that allowed our ancestors to explore and exploit new environments. Not a connection to the beyond.

But yes, i agree that the only answer to why people think there is a soul is faith

SW-User

@UnparalleledMonster: To your first point, I counter the bullshit with practical, oft-repeated real world experience. Work in the ME's office and you will understand and understand well.

To your second point, that's the entire crux, isn't it? Faith versus incontrovertible truth.

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

@Oconnor:

Then you also know all the expression in the eyes is the result of the surrounding musculature.

SW-User

@UnparalleledMonster: It is. And it isn't. I'm not talking about the ultra relaxed configuration of muscles after death, though. I'm talking about what's behind the eyes.

MetalGreymon · 36-40, M

@Oconnor:

Riiiight. Bullshit.
Sorry.

SW-User

@UnparalleledMonster: You are wholly unqualified to have this conversation.

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.