Do we posess a soul, or is it all chemical?

[Jack_Uzi]

Hello, fellow escapists,

Subject covers my question to you. For me, I think certain thoughts or actions are based on the chemical compounds in our brain. But in general, I think we do posess a soul, wherever (in our body) that may be. So, any thoughts on this one?

*Edit: My thought on 'having a soul' is this: the 'thing' that motivates your actions and/or thoughts.

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

Let's define precisely what a soul is (not some vague thing like "the essence of your unique being"), then we can decide whether we have one or not.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

Yes, but what I consider a soul is generally termed as personality. I'd say the soul / personality is that which makes each of us who we are and is changed by external influences. In other words, the thing that stops everyone being the same, whatever it may be.

So I'd say no in a "ghost that goes to heaven" definition, but there definately is something makes everyone different from one another.

 

[Uber Evil]

Yes, there is something of a soul in us all. I realized this yesterday. I felt empty and sad, etc. for most of the day, came on here and read some of the Comfortable Truth thread, and felt "whole" again. It was an awesome sensation.

 

[Jedamethis]

Well, if you mean 'the thing that goes to Heaven when we die' then no.

 

[Harlemura]

I like to think when we die, we turn into ghosts. Thinking we have a soul makes thinking we turn into ghosts more likely.
So yes, I think we have a soul. I'm not saying that our brain doesn't do anything to affect our personalities, but if there's something else contributing? It's something nice to sit and think about.

I mentioned thinking a lot in this post. Thought I'd point that out.
Haw haw haw.

 

[Riddle78]

It's all chemical. The "Soul" is simply the uniqueness of our DNA,and your mental patterns.
Modern science has proven that no such entity exists that could be compared remotely to what many people believe to be "The Human Soul". Emotion is simply chemical and electrical reactions happening in the brain and the rest of the body. The need for many to believe in a higher power is due to a certain part of the Cerebreal Cortex recieving different stimuli,both internal and external.
I'm sorry if I come across as harsh or insensitive,but,those are the two-cents of a cynical, science-grounded person.

 

[lacktheknack]

You should have put this in "Religion and Politics", the soul is too wrapped with religion to ignore.

And yes, we have one. And yes, it floats off to the afterlife, wherever that may be.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Yes there is.

There is more between your brain and chemical compounds just as there is more between heaven and earth.

But what it is no one knows.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

We have them in our shoes.

In seriousness, I think it's chemical, but I suppose it wouldn't be off to describe the sum of your personality as your "soul".

 

[Grigori361]

Who says it isn't both?

 

[Throwitawaynow]

I keep my soul in a bottle so I don't lose it.

 

[Fallen-Angel Risen-Demon]

I am not religious, but I do believe in the soul.
And Jack, I haven't seen you in ages! How are you?

 

[LostTimeLady]

I believe that we have a soul. Yes, many of the things that make us who we are are chemical (like sinapses in our brain), but even if they are it doesn't make them any less than what they are simply 'cos we can't understand it.
I belive the soul is a separate part of our being from our body and mind, in what way it resides in us is something we might never know, but there are some things in life that can only be reasoned out by us possessing that which does not reason. A mind is rational yet we love... I belive that love and other emotions are right there as parts of our soul.

Yeah, my reply sounds all wishy-washy spiritual stuff but, errr... you did ask...

 

[The Night Shade]

Depends on your definition of soul,i prefer scientific explanations nothing spiritual

 

[GiglameshSoulEater]

Nope, all chemicaland brain synapses. For example, drugs that effect how you think, or how people act differently after suffering extreme brain tramau (like the dude who had a steel bar blow straight through his head).

 

[Boneasse]

I'd say that's a no, really. It's like using the metaphor of "having a heart", you know, how we say that our feelings and love are placed within the most powerful muscle in our bodies. It's all chemical, and when you die, the screen goes black. That's it - like turning off your TV.

 

[tomtom94]

It's all chemicals.
Consciousness is an illusion perpetrated by our brains.