The Ultimate Value and the signs of it in ourselves.

[bennyboy]

There are too many assumptions involved in your last post.  First of all, that there is a soul.  Now, you talk about the "taste" of the soul, which I don't think really means anything.

If by soul you mean "what it's like to be me," then it's pretty obvious who defines it-- nobody.  It is an expression of the DNA, the brain, and the environment.

What I meant by soul was not an ethereal thing but it was just to clarify the identity rather then the physical brain.

Can you elaborate on the point you made, because DNA and brain and environment, cannot give value, as they are physical objects....so elaborate on it and also refer back to what everyone has agreed upon, mainly value is not inherent, but something perceived and given, mainly through love.

Of course those things can give value.  I have a genetically-determined ability to self-monitor, and value comes from that.  For example, I need sufficient water.  As my water resources are deplenished, I place water higher and higher on my list of things that matter.  That's value.

As a reproducing organism, I have a very strong instinct to reproduce.  As a social animal, I also have a strong instinct to do no harm to those I care about.  This brings me into conflict: I could potentially mate with someone other than my wife, but I will risk being caught and seeing the hurt I have caused.  So far, no cheating; potentially-- I hope not, but the libido is strong.  I value those things on different levels and for different reasons, creating an awkward asymmetry-- which you would probably categorize as the struggle between our godly nature and our demonic nature or something.  But all in all, it's just me living out my existence as the human animal that I am.