RE: Disproving The Soul
August 16, 2014 at 2:35 am
(This post was last modified: August 16, 2014 at 2:46 am by Michael.)
A few quick thoughts...
Firstly, the OP seems to adopt an Aristotelean model of soul, that a soul is something we have. I would say the biblical meaning is much more that we 'are' souls; that 'soul' describes the essence of our identity.
Secondly, I am a biologist, so I too tend to think along the lines of consciousness (which I would say is distinct from soul, as per my first point) as a product of matter. I'm aware, though, that it's quite possible to look at this from a completely different perspective - that matter, also being a concept, can be thought of as a product of consciousness. It's like the old philosophical question of whether a tree falling out of earshot of anyone makes a noise. Both perspectives are internally valid, and perhaps both tell us different things.
Finally, as I am a medical biologist, I've tended to think about this 'problem' more in the medical setting of Alzheimer's disease: is the patient with Alzheimer's disease somehow less than the person they used to be. What happens to identity, to 'soul' as physical degeneration of the brain leads to a progressive loss of memory and other mental function? On the one hand I can consider the problem from a materialist perspective and describe the loss of brain function. But that is distinct from, but not incompatible with, my Christian view. Paul poetically says that 'in God we have our being'. If this is right (and, of course, I accept atheists don't believe it is) then this opens up another way of thinking. Our identity becomes not dependent on our physical attributes; but exists in God's being and so can be reconstructed, 'resurrected' if you will, by and in God's will. So essentially what eventually matters most is not our consciousness, not our 'mind' (however we conceive that), but God's consciousness and mind. So long as God 'remembers', all will be well.
What this reveals is perhaps the importance of presuppositions. Start with materialistic presuppositions and you will, unsurprisingly, reach a materialistic conclusion. Start with presuppositions that allow for the metaphysical, that allow for God, and you will allow room for other conclusions. Both are internally consistent. Each of us must follow the path that is most persuasive to us.
Firstly, the OP seems to adopt an Aristotelean model of soul, that a soul is something we have. I would say the biblical meaning is much more that we 'are' souls; that 'soul' describes the essence of our identity.
Secondly, I am a biologist, so I too tend to think along the lines of consciousness (which I would say is distinct from soul, as per my first point) as a product of matter. I'm aware, though, that it's quite possible to look at this from a completely different perspective - that matter, also being a concept, can be thought of as a product of consciousness. It's like the old philosophical question of whether a tree falling out of earshot of anyone makes a noise. Both perspectives are internally valid, and perhaps both tell us different things.
Finally, as I am a medical biologist, I've tended to think about this 'problem' more in the medical setting of Alzheimer's disease: is the patient with Alzheimer's disease somehow less than the person they used to be. What happens to identity, to 'soul' as physical degeneration of the brain leads to a progressive loss of memory and other mental function? On the one hand I can consider the problem from a materialist perspective and describe the loss of brain function. But that is distinct from, but not incompatible with, my Christian view. Paul poetically says that 'in God we have our being'. If this is right (and, of course, I accept atheists don't believe it is) then this opens up another way of thinking. Our identity becomes not dependent on our physical attributes; but exists in God's being and so can be reconstructed, 'resurrected' if you will, by and in God's will. So essentially what eventually matters most is not our consciousness, not our 'mind' (however we conceive that), but God's consciousness and mind. So long as God 'remembers', all will be well.
What this reveals is perhaps the importance of presuppositions. Start with materialistic presuppositions and you will, unsurprisingly, reach a materialistic conclusion. Start with presuppositions that allow for the metaphysical, that allow for God, and you will allow room for other conclusions. Both are internally consistent. Each of us must follow the path that is most persuasive to us.
