# If Ghosts are not real, then how do they transcend the ages, and cultures?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ghosts-are-not-real-then-how-do-they-transcend-the-ages-and-cultures/272079>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [October 30, 2004, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ghosts-are-not-real-then-how-do-they-transcend-the-ages-and-cultures/272079 "2004-10-30T22:31:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ghosts-are-not-real-then-how-do-they-transcend-the-ages-and-cultures/272079/41 "2004-11-02T21:21:43Z")

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**Phlosphr** As others have said, the description of a ghost is **not** universal. Their appearance, abilities, behavior, and meaning varies from culture to culture. The Oddysey and the Aenead speak of all the dead being thirsty for blood. The ghosts of Norse legends have no interest in blood whatsoever.

We did have a recent thread on the different ghosts of different cultures. I’ll try to find it when I log back on.

**Mangeorge**  
This is actually like saying ‘Based on a lack of verifiable evidence and the violation of physical laws, pegasi most likely do not exist’.

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**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ghosts-are-not-real-then-how-do-they-transcend-the-ages-and-cultures/272079/42 "2004-11-03T01:34:35Z")

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> [@DocCathode](#):
>
> **Phlosphr** As others have said, the description of a ghost is **not** universal. Their appearance, abilities, behavior, and meaning varies from culture to culture. The Oddysey and the Aenead speak of all the dead being thirsty for blood. The ghosts of Norse legends have no interest in blood whatsoever.
> 
> We did have a recent thread on the different ghosts of different cultures. I’ll try to find it when I log back on.
> 
> **Mangeorge**  
> This is actually like saying ‘Based on a lack of verifiable evidence and the violation of physical laws, pegasi most likely do not exist’.

Do pegasus’, or ghosts, violate _physical_ law?

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