Please Explain a Soul

[Ana the Ist]

Countless times on here I've seen the term "soul" and "spirit" used almost interchangeably...and without any real explanation for what they mean. The clearest understanding I have, is that a soul is some part of you that exists apart from your physical self (as in, a supernatural part of a person).

Frankly, this sounds awful. Without eyes, ears, nerves, a tongue, a nose...and all the other rather nice physical bits of myself, I'd just be some thinking "essence" without any real sensory experience. Does this actually sound good to anyone? Would you want to exist as this? Am I way off here? If so...please correct my understanding...but before you do...consider please...

If a soul has access to all the sensory experiences we have and enjoy in our physical bodies, just what is the point of having a physical body? Wouldn't we all be better off as souls?

Just for reference, I don't believe in the soul, or spirit, but I'm curious how those who do reconcile this.

 

[Chany]

Popcorn grabbed.

 

[Ken-1122]

Countless times on here I've seen the term "soul" and "spirit" used almost interchangeably...and without any real explanation for what they mean. The clearest understanding I have, is that a soul is some part of you that exists apart from your physical self (as in, a supernatural part of a person).

Frankly, this sounds awful. Without eyes, ears, nerves, a tongue, a nose...and all the other rather nice physical bits of myself, I'd just be some thinking "essence" without any real sensory experience. Does this actually sound good to anyone? Would you want to exist as this? Am I way off here? If so...please correct my understanding...but before you do...consider please...

If a soul has access to all the sensory experiences we have and enjoy in our physical bodies, just what is the point of having a physical body? Wouldn't we all be better off as souls?

Just for reference, I don't believe in the soul, or spirit, but I'm curious how those who do reconcile this.

I am interested in seeing how this turns out.

K

 

[Ana the Ist]

You know, I thought I was being generous with the "thinking essence" part. Presumably, we can't think without a brain. As of now 40 views and no takers.

 

[Soul2Soul]

Countless times on here I've seen the term "soul" and "spirit" used almost interchangeably...and without any real explanation for what they mean. The clearest understanding I have, is that a soul is some part of you that exists apart from your physical self (as in, a supernatural part of a person).

Frankly, this sounds awful. Without eyes, ears, nerves, a tongue, a nose...and all the other rather nice physical bits of myself, I'd just be some thinking "essence" without any real sensory experience. Does this actually sound good to anyone? Would you want to exist as this? Am I way off here? If so...please correct my understanding...but before you do...consider please...

If a soul has access to all the sensory experiences we have and enjoy in our physical bodies, just what is the point of having a physical body? Wouldn't we all be better off as souls?

Just for reference, I don't believe in the soul, or spirit, but I'm curious how those who do reconcile this.

My understanding is that a soul is not a part of someone rather it is the person. The spirit as I can make out is something that exists within.

 

[Ken-1122]

My understanding is that a soul is not a part of someone rather it is the person.

So why use the term "soul"? We've already got a word for that; it's called "person"! In other words, why have 2 different words for the same thing?

The spirit as I can make out is something that exists within.

Can the spirit be detected? Is it aware of it's surroundings?

K

 

[juvenissun]

Countless times on here I've seen the term "soul" and "spirit" used almost interchangeably...and without any real explanation for what they mean. The clearest understanding I have, is that a soul is some part of you that exists apart from your physical self (as in, a supernatural part of a person).

Frankly, this sounds awful. Without eyes, ears, nerves, a tongue, a nose...and all the other rather nice physical bits of myself, I'd just be some thinking "essence" without any real sensory experience. Does this actually sound good to anyone? Would you want to exist as this? Am I way off here? If so...please correct my understanding...but before you do...consider please...

If a soul has access to all the sensory experiences we have and enjoy in our physical bodies, just what is the point of having a physical body? Wouldn't we all be better off as souls?

Just for reference, I don't believe in the soul, or spirit, but I'm curious how those who do reconcile this.

Yes, the physical body is not good enough. And that is exactly the point, not good enough. It SHOULD be better.

One way to feel the soul is to think about things abstract in nature, such love, beauty, loyalty etc. Soul is in contrast to physical. We do feel non-physical things, that is a strong evidence of soul.

 

[Ken-1122]

Yes, the physical body is not good enough. And that is exactly the point, not good enough. It SHOULD be better.

So the soul is not physical? Is it mental? Is the soul aware of it's surroundings?

One way to feel the soul is to think about things abstract in nature, such love, beauty, loyalty etc. Soul is in contrast to physical. We do feel non-physical things, that is a strong evidence of soul.

Is the soul directly affected to the physical body? In other words, if my brain has an injury that affects my thinking; to include my perception of beauty, loyalty, etc. does this means my soul has been affected?

Ken

 

[durangodawood]

For 100% sure, brain injuries have changed the part of a person that we might call the soul.

 

[Soul2Soul]

So why use the term "soul"? We've already got a word for that; it's called "person"! In other words, why have 2 different words for the same thing?

Perhaps a "non believer" might prefer the word "person" to be used? If that is the case I can't see why that should present any problems. As a believer I can also accept the term "soul" being used because of it's connotations of the Divine. I'm sorry but I cannot tell you exactly why in the English language on numerous occasions different words are used for the same thing.

Can the spirit be detected? Is it aware of it's surroundings?
K

I believe that one's spirit can be detected...by oneself!. Perhaps it requires some type of faith to acknowledge it's existence? By surroundings do you mean one's thoughts, emotions etc? If so then yes I believe the spirit is aware of such.

 

[juvenissun]

So the soul is not physical? Is it mental? Is the soul aware of it's surroundings?

Is the soul directly affected to the physical body? In other words, if my brain has an injury that affects my thinking; to include my perception of beauty, loyalty, etc. does this means my soul has been affected?

Ken

Good question. I do not know the answer.
Same situation to a mentally ill person.

But, you may treat it as an exception and dealt with the situation separately.

Historically, people treated it as a person be snatched by evil spirit. I think it might still apply today because we do not know the nature of soul yet.

 

[Resha Caner]

Just for reference, I don't believe in the soul, or spirit, but I'm curious how those who do reconcile this.

Such statements are common to this question when asked by unbelievers, and I find that odd. You're poisoning the well. How can you not believe in something before I even tell you what I think it is? It doesn't motivate me to put much effort into answering your question.

Regardless, I'll say that the Bible doesn't spend a lot of time defining such things. As such, you'll find opinions all over the map, and I have no reason to say my version is better than any other.

As for me, since "soul" and "spirit" are two different words, I take them to mean two different things. My view is that the soul is material; a manner for associating information with meaning (what I call a plexus); and further a collection of those plexuses along with the rules for their operation and manipulation. In simple terms, I would consider it the programming language for the mind.

That is different than your definition as some "essence" that exists apart from the "physical self". I don't really know what those terms would mean, so if you want to discuss my version that's fine. If you want to discuss your version, I'll need further clarification.

 

[Ken-1122]

Perhaps a "non believer" might prefer the word "person" to be used? If that is the case I can't see why that should present any problems. As a believer I can also accept the term "soul" being used because of it's connotations of the Divine. I'm sorry but I cannot tell you exactly why in the English language on numerous occasions different words are used for the same thing.

Thank-you for answering my question.

I believe that one's spirit can be detected...by oneself!. Perhaps it requires some type of faith to acknowledge it's existence?

Do you think it could be detected by a doctor, scientist, or a professional in such a field of study?

By surroundings do you mean one's thoughts, emotions etc? If so then yes I believe the spirit is aware of such.

By surroundings I mean; let's say if you were asleep and someone approaches you to rob you while sleeping; can you train the soul to witness this event and relay the information to you when you wake up? Or does the soul sleep when you sleep.

Ken

 

[Ana the Ist]

Yes, the physical body is not good enough. And that is exactly the point, not good enough. It SHOULD be better.

One way to feel the soul is to think about things abstract in nature, such love, beauty, loyalty etc. Soul is in contrast to physical. We do feel non-physical things, that is a strong evidence of soul.

You feel beauty? You may feel happy, because you find yourself beautiful...you may find something beautiful and appreciate it as such...but I've always understood beauty as a judgment. Like right or wrong, good or bad, interesting or uninteresting. If you disagree, please explain.

As for these other "non-physical things" what makes you think they aren't physical? You don't believe emotions are chemical in origin?

And could you "feel beauty" without eyes?

 

[Ana the Ist]

Such statements are common to this question when asked by unbelievers, and I find that odd. You're poisoning the well. How can you not believe in something before I even tell you what I think it is? It doesn't motivate me to put much effort into answering your question.

Regardless, I'll say that the Bible doesn't spend a lot of time defining such things. As such, you'll find opinions all over the map, and I have no reason to say my version is better than any other.

As for me, since "soul" and "spirit" are two different words, I take them to mean two different things. My view is that the soul is material; a manner for associating information with meaning (what I call a plexus); and further a collection of those plexuses along with the rules for their operation and manipulation. In simple terms, I would consider it the programming language for the mind.

That is different than your definition as some "essence" that exists apart from the "physical self". I don't really know what those terms would mean, so if you want to discuss my version that's fine. If you want to discuss your version, I'll need further clarification.

You said the soul is material.

Then you said it's like a "programming language for the mind".

Do you see the problem with that? Is language material in your mind? Certainly, languages are made of material things, sounds, symbols, etc. Does a language exist without these things?

Does your version of a soul exist without a brain?

 

[Soul2Soul]

Thank-you for answering my question.

You are welcome Ken.

Do you think it could be detected by a doctor, scientist, or a professional in such a field of study?

My thoughts are that it would have to be recognised as having a legitimate value by the majority of all the professionals involved for that endeavour to generate non biased deductions, conclusions etc. I am not so sure this is likely to happen since as far as I can determine the concept and reality of the soul has it's origins with a Divine Being and would require appropriate faith.

By surroundings I mean; let's say if you were asleep and someone approaches you to rob you while sleeping; can you train the soul to witness this event and relay the information to you when you wake up? Or does the soul sleep when you sleep.
Ken

Well I believe one's entire person is contained as a soul .... I do not understand it as two separate entities coexisting.

 

[Resha Caner]

Do you see the problem with that? Is language material in your mind? Certainly, languages are made of material things, sounds, symbols, etc. Does a language exist without these things?

I understand the dilemma, but it is not unique to my definition. It's an old philosophy problem of trying to separate properties from substance. As with your example of language, when does a language stop being a language? If I remove one word from English, is it still English? If I remove all but one word is it still English? If I only remove one letter and use an alphabet of 25 letters, is it still English? Why can I arrange those 26 letters in one way and get English, and then arrange them a different way and get French? It's a game one can play with anything, and it is a difficult game to answer.

Does your version of a soul exist without a brain?

No, it does not. Hence why I said it is material ... or would it be better to say it is dependent upon the material? So, no, the soul would not exist without a material brain, and yet it does not exactly equate with a brain because each brain is unique. Both your brain and mine are human brains, and yet your soul is different than mine. In my analogy (with the soul as the programming language), the brain would equate to the computer. And if we want to extend the analogy further, the mind would be a specific program written in that language ... but the soul is more than the mind. I equate the mind with the rational, whereas the soul also includes the emotional and instinctual - the personality and memories. Those are the other plexuses (the other programs) of the soul.

All of that is what one might call the "clinical" aspects of the soul. Within the context of the Biblical discussion there is also a wealth of symbolic meaning.

 

[juvenissun]

You feel beauty? You may feel happy, because you find yourself beautiful...you may find something beautiful and appreciate it as such...but I've always understood beauty as a judgment. Like right or wrong, good or bad, interesting or uninteresting. If you disagree, please explain.

As for these other "non-physical things" what makes you think they aren't physical? You don't believe emotions are chemical in origin?

And could you "feel beauty" without eyes?

Good question, I do not know. I wish I am a neuroscientist so I understand better how does chemicals control emotion. But I imagine that even I were the top neuroscientist today, I still won't be able to answer that.

For example, compound A can make a person "happy". But we do not know what kind of happiness is that. Happiness itself has such a wide definition that what does the compound A do to a person is still not really known. It is entirely possible that compound A can make person A feel happiness A, and it makes person B feel happiness B. So, the happiness is, in fact, given by more than just one chemical reaction.

You asked how could you see soul, I said there, there you might see soul. Then when we both see there, we can not be sure if we are seeing soul or not. But, at least, we can not say that what we see is not soul. I guess that is the best type of answer you can get at the moment.

Are all Christians affected by one particular kind of chemical, which is different from the one functioned in all Muslims? I don't know. But it is certainly a possibility. Agree? Do you have that chemical in you? How did I get, and maintain that strange chemical in me?

 

[Ken-1122]

You are welcome Ken.


My thoughts are that it would have to be recognised as having a legitimate value by the majority of all the professionals involved for that endeavour to generate non biased deductions, conclusions etc. I am not so sure this is likely to happen since as far as I can determine the concept and reality of the soul has it's origins with a Divine Being and would require appropriate faith.

So you believe such a person might be looking at the spirit but recognize it as something else? Or do you think perhaps they would be unable to see the spirit unless they believe it exists first?

Well I believe one's entire person is contained as a soul .... I do not understand it as two separate entities coexisting.

I ment "spirit" instead of "soul". Do you suppose you could train your spirit to witness such an event and retrieve such information to you upon awakening?

Ken

 

[Ana the Ist]

Good question, I do not know. I wish I am a neuroscientist so I understand better how does chemicals control emotion. But I imagine that even I were the top neuroscientist today, I still won't be able to answer that.

For example, compound A can make a person "happy". But we do not know what kind of happiness is that. Happiness itself has such a wide definition that what does the compound A do to a person is still not really known. It is entirely possible that compound A can make person A feel happiness A, and it makes person B feel happiness B. So, the happiness is, in fact, given by more than just one chemical reaction.

You asked how could you see soul, I said there, there you might see soul. Then when we both see there, we can not be sure if we are seeing soul or not. But, at least, we can not say that what we see is not soul. I guess that is the best type of answer you can get at the moment.

Are all Christians affected by one particular kind of chemical, which is different from the one functioned in all Muslims? I don't know. But it is certainly a possibility. Agree? Do you have that chemical in you? How did I get, and maintain that strange chemical in me?

As to your last paragraph...no, I don't agree. I don't know what feeling you consider to be "god" or "spiritual" but there are many subtle and not so subtle nameless feelings. I won't say I've never experienced what you have, I may have indeed, I just never considered it anything but myself. I am sure though, that all feelings are chemical in origin, and while our ability to manipulate these feelings chemically grows every day, I'm sure we are still far off from being able to recreate every feeling possible. Would it make you wonder if one day you saw a commercial....

"Warning, taking Euphrexia max cause feelings of divine oneness with all your surroundings and the entire universe, may induce thoughts of an almighty creator who cares for and loves you, should you experience feelings of spiritual divinity and grace, stop taking Euphrexia and consult your physician."