EvC Forum: What is the soul?

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Topic: What is the soul?

nwr

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From: Geneva, Illinois

Joined: 08-08-2005

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Message 111 of 165 (447702)
01-10-2008 1:37 PM

Reply to: Message 110 by Archer Opteryx
01-10-2008 1:29 PM

Re: Soul = animating force

The soul, practically speaking, is a hypothesis. It refers to 'that which animates a living creature.'

That is to say, it refers to certain biochemical processes.

The spirit, practically speaking, is likewise a hypothesis. It refers to 'that which vanishes from a living creature once it ceases to live.'

That is to say, it too refers to certain biochemical processes.

Let's end the political smears

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	Message 110 by Archer Opteryx, posted 01-10-2008 1:29 PM		Archer Opteryx has not replied

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	Message 112 by Raphael, posted 01-11-2008 8:12 PM		nwr has replied

nwr

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Posts: 6412

From: Geneva, Illinois

Joined: 08-08-2005

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Message 113 of 165 (448065)
01-11-2008 8:33 PM

Reply to: Message 112 by Raphael
01-11-2008 8:12 PM

Re: Soul = animating force

What EXACTLY do you mean biochemical process?

A process is something involved with active change. A rock is pretty passive, nothing much changing. A computer is pretty passive, nothing much changing, when it is powered off. But it is doing things when it is powered on.

A biochemical process is just a process that is based on biological chemistry (the chemistry of biological systems).

Let's end the political smears

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	Message 112 by Raphael, posted 01-11-2008 8:12 PM		Raphael has not replied

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	Message 116 by Archer Opteryx, posted 01-12-2008 5:25 AM		nwr has replied

nwr

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Posts: 6412

From: Geneva, Illinois

Joined: 08-08-2005

Member Rating: 4.5

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Message 118 of 165 (448138)
01-12-2008 8:57 AM

Reply to: Message 116 by Archer Opteryx
01-12-2008 5:25 AM

Re: Soul = animating force

The idea that both are manifestations of biochemical processes alone is another hypothesis.

I'm not sure what the "alone" is intended to imply here. We live in a world, and interact with that world. The biological processes are what makes the interaction possible. Much of the language we use in "soul" talk suggests that what we call the soul is related to that interaction with the world.

But perhaps you were just pointing out that it has never been proved, and possibly could never be proved, that there is not an immaterial spirit behind it all.

Let's end the political smears

This message is a reply to:
	Message 116 by Archer Opteryx, posted 01-12-2008 5:25 AM		Archer Opteryx has not replied

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