Do we have a soul that only God can destroy?

[McCulloch]

While you may consider my statement an opinion, I will also defend it as truth. We have a soul with a consciousness that only God can destroy.

Do we have a soul with a consciousness that only God can destroy?

[Danmark]

[Replying to post 1 by McCulloch]

While there is no evidence for an eternal 'soul', or for consciousness separate and apart from what the physical brain produces, there is increasing evidence from neuropsychology of a completely material basis for the mind, for consciousness and for the unconscious.

We know that chemicals and physical trauma to the brain cause changes in personality, behavior and consciousness. We know that when certain areas of the brain are interfered with or damaged, we can predict particular dysfunctions that will result.

These findings have dealt a virtual death blow to ancient dualism that holds the mind is separate from the body.

[Clownboat]

While you may consider my statement an opinion, I will also defend it as truth. We have a soul with a consciousness that only God can destroy.

Do we have a soul with a consciousness that only God can destroy?

It seems that we don't.
Danmark, did a good job of explaining the "why" IMO.

[keithprosser3]

Let me suggest that consciousness is to a brain what electricity is to a dynamo,
ie not part of it, nor identical to it but wholly dependent on it.

Hence, no brain no consciousness even though 'consciousness does not equal brain'

[scourge99]

Let me suggest that consciousness is to a brain what electricity is to a dynamo,
ie not part of it, nor identical to it but wholly dependent on it.

Hence, no brain no consciousness even though 'consciousness does not equal brain'

Obviously consciousness does not equal brain. Just as software does not equal a computer. But there are multiple lines of converging evidence that make a strong case that the mind is the product of a brain.

What evidence is there that supports the idea that the mind is not fundamentally emergent from material. I. E., that it is a different substance that cannot be completely reduced to physical processes? Near death experiences? Philosophical musings? Arguments from incredulity? Arguments from intuition?

[HiddenHand]

Before we even get to the existence of a soul, I think we need to establish who the 'observer' is. What, or to personify it, who is the observer behind my eyes? What is 'consciousness' and why are we self-aware, cognisant beings? Is my spirit the entity experiencing my bodily reality? If so, how did it come into being?

Or...

Is our consciousness an expression of some unseen, universal oneness that the Buddhists speak of? Is individuality an illusion? Or is consciousness purely a result of our evolved biological processes by which we have become self-aware?

Is consciousness a result of having a soul? Or have we conjured up the idea of a soul due to our self-awareness?

McCulloch, I know your OP is directed at baiting those who believe in souls but for me, these are the questions I would like the know the answer to. I hope they won't derail the topic too much.

Cheers

[alwayson]

The soul concept is just an extreme reification of identity (atman).

People don't even have identity or self......let alone a soul.

I'm speaking from the Buddhist POV.

[Danmark]

Before we even get to the existence of a soul, I think we need to establish who the 'observer' is. What, or to personify it, who is the observer behind my eyes? What is 'consciousness' and why are we self-aware, cognisant beings? Is my spirit the entity experiencing my bodily reality? If so, how did it come into being?

Or...

Is our consciousness an expression of some unseen, universal oneness that the Buddhists speak of? Is individuality an illusion? Or is consciousness purely a result of our evolved biological processes by which we have become self-aware?

Is consciousness a result of having a soul? Or have we conjured up the idea of a soul due to our self-awareness?

McCulloch, I know your OP is directed at baiting those who believe in souls but for me, these are the questions I would like the know the answer to. I hope they won't derail the topic too much.

Cheers

Why posit any of this? All each of us knows for certain is that I, the individual, experiences consciousness. Why speculate on some unseen observer beyond the self? Or speculate that somehow my consciousness involves others?

I'm not suggesting there is nothing beyond what I experience. My point is that we should not go off on speculative flights of fancy without some reason or evidence.

[HiddenHand]

Before we even get to the existence of a soul, I think we need to establish who the 'observer' is. What, or to personify it, who is the observer behind my eyes? What is 'consciousness' and why are we self-aware, cognisant beings? Is my spirit the entity experiencing my bodily reality? If so, how did it come into being?

Or...

Is our consciousness an expression of some unseen, universal oneness that the Buddhists speak of? Is individuality an illusion? Or is consciousness purely a result of our evolved biological processes by which we have become self-aware?

Is consciousness a result of having a soul? Or have we conjured up the idea of a soul due to our self-awareness?

McCulloch, I know your OP is directed at baiting those who believe in souls but for me, these are the questions I would like the know the answer to. I hope they won't derail the topic too much.

Cheers

Why posit any of this? All each of us knows for certain is that I, the individual, experiences consciousness. Why speculate on some unseen observer beyond the self? Or speculate that somehow my consciousness involves others?

I'm not suggesting there is nothing beyond what I experience. My point is that we should not go off on speculative flights of fancy without some reason or evidence.

I am only asking questions. Is this not relevant to the discussion?

I apologise for my flights of fancy. These were just the questions that popped into my head when I read the OP.

Carry on.

Cheers

[Suzy]

It seems simple to me, religion is man made. Religion came up with the concept of ‘the soul’ so there is no soul.
Is that too simple?