What Lissa said. That pretty much puts it in a nutshell, AFAIAC.
I believe that both humans and animals have souls. Like the OP said, anything alive has one. I’ve been toying with the idea of plants having them, but I tend to lean towards the negative on that one right now.
Ditto what Lissa said.
Well, acknowledging Eve’s admonishment that we’re headed for GD if we’re not careful, let me ask, non-confrontationally -
For those who agree with Lissa, what is your definition of consciousness? How does it exist in a mushy ball?
Well, my two cents: I know cats have souls. As for most humans, I’m still undecided.
It’s a complex process of neurobiological response to physiological stimuli. Consciousness is nothing but neurons firing at synapses. it’s a highly evolved nervous system communicating with itself. It can’t exist without the mushy ball. That’s where the wiring is.
Ah, at last an easy question: no.
However, if someone wanted to persuade me that soul food existed, I’d be at least a little bit receptive.
Then, do you and others who agree with Lissa believe in free will?
I can only speak for myself. I do not.
Well then, come on over to Big Mama’s house for Sunday dinner.
Define soul, but my answer is probably “no”.
No, I don’t.
Given that soul is defined as consciousness not associated with a physical brain, I agree with Lissa. As for free will, I don’t think the term is defined well enough for me to give an answer. I agree that free will exists under certain definitions, and does not exist under others.
And dogs.
No.
But if Jesus can do anything, he certainly could create a robot with a soul.
If anyone gets that reference, I’d be shocked.
No. I can’t rule it out, of course, but I see no reason to have faith in the notion of an immortal soul.
I believe that I am greater than the sum of my biology. I believe that there is some “spark” in me that is uniquely me. If you were to clone me or if I had a twin, the spark in me is not the same spark that’s in him. This force, or whatever you call it, is unique and beyond the simple wiring of my brain.
I chose to call this my soul.
As a Christian, I’m told that this spark will persist after my death. As a skeptic, I hope that the good book is right.
No.
I believe that we are all greater than the sum of our biology, but that it can only occur in tandem with that biology. Once the brain is gone, so is the personality.
But there’s sufficient evidence for the existence of soul? Or is your belief in the soul more faith-based than evidence based?
How does a soul make any difference in regards to free will anyway ?
I don’t believe in free will or souls. If souls exist why do we lose portions of our mind when brain damaged; why do drugs affect our minds ? We ARE our brains.
As far as free will goes, I find it too poorly defined to believe in; I consider it a useful illusion.
Why would the materials matter ? Why would a soul be any more likely to produce consciousness ?