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Why I think there is no soul, that is, no permanent definitive essence. What do you think?
I have, so far, found the Buddhist philosophy of no-self true, but I'd like to hear input. The idea of no-self can be broken down to a simple example:
When eating an apple, when does it stop being an apple? After the first bite? When there is a core left? When it's cut in half? When it's entirely eaten? Since there is no 'core' or 'essence' that *is* the apple, and an apple is only a concept for a mass of particles anyway, I would declare the nature of the apple to be empty.
Likewise the same applies to a person. If you remove their arms are they no longer themselves? No, of course not. We are a process, and processes change over time, just as you aren't the same person you were when you were 5, nor do you have any of the same atoms in your body as you did then. We are inherently empty of any essence.
Note, however, that emptiness doesn't mean nothingness, simply that we have no fixed or root "essence" that is a unique personality for each person. Thoughts? Comments?
Like the quote from the matrix "There is no spoon". It is correct, there never was any spoon, just an arrangement of particles in a specific shape that we associate with specific uses, regardless of what purposes it could actually fulfill. Here, again, the term 'particles' is just a concept for an observed phenomena.
A good analogy would be a small whirlpool near a river bank. The whirl forms because of pre-existing conditions; water flow rate, rocks, etc. So that whirlpool will never move from where it is, not really. It will move around a bit, maybe get bigger and smaller, stuff will float into it, but it's *that* whirlpool that is always there day after day. Now is the whirlpool separate then the river? Is it the same whirlpool it was yesterday? No, it's something else because the water forming it is different then it was a moment ago. The whirlpool is a process, always changing and always in flux. And always always always part of the river (another process).
@John - True, but as you pointed out, a electron can change its energy level. It too is not static...is it made up of quarks and gluons, and if one was removed and another put in its place, is it the same? There is still no essence that can be rendered, just a group of interchanging parts. It is our concept that makes it appear as one thing because our concept is one thing (so that our brains can simplify a complex object for mental manipulations, thought, etc.)
@Dis Dain *All* matter IS energy. String theory shows us that all matter and energy are the same thing (a vibrating string) that evokes different characteristics at different vibrational frequencies.
@Dad&son thanks for the warm reply! Yes, buddhists do not identify themselves with the "self" or a soul or spirit, they seek to identify themselves with the original nature of the universe, that is, the most basic characteristics as it is from those most basic characteristics that we, and other complexities, emerge (in Buddhist philosophy).
7 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
You are in error. there still can be a soul. In your own words its just an arrangement of particles that changes as we decay. The soul is non ethereal untouchable energy. Everyone has energy right? It powers our bodies and minds. This energy can be consider the soul.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
*Thank You for sharing what you believe. It is quite enlightening.
*This is the enlightenment which I have come to realize:
I am a spirit being, I posses or have a soul {which is comprised of mind, will, and emotions) and I live in a physical body.
The spirit is that part of me which was dead to GOD - unable to communicate with Him, until He recreated my spirit in the new birth - hence then I was able to communicate with GOD.
*This is how I view the difference between the spirit and the soul. I understand Buddhism does not actually believe on the ongoing existence of the spirit because according to Buddhist philisophical teachings - human beings are inherently empty of any "real" essence.
While I respect what you believe, this is the enlightened understanding I have of the spirit, soul {mind, will and emotions) and the body which make up a human being.
From: dad&son.
Source(s): Source: Bible. - Anonymous1 decade ago
You expect form with energy and yet energy needs no form.
The electron is a tiny particle and it moves at the speed of light. As this particle moves it carries with it the ability to "energize" and yet the electron never changes shape, it never slows, it never dies.
Time does not exist for the electron. The electron may not remember the beginning. The electron may not remember the end. To the electron there is only the existence of the now.
To our eyes it does not seem there is a difference between one electron and another and yet we know that there are differences, in fact we postulate that each electron is an individual just as each snow flake is an individual.
- VanessaLv 61 decade ago
I believe the soul is you or the body. when you die the soul dies and returns to dust. Just as God told Adam in the garden "for dust you are and to dust you will return"
But the spirit returns to God. This spirit is the life force that came from you and is basically your one DNA that he could use to recreated you. It is called the recreation.
(John 5:28-29) 28Â Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29Â and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.
those who are really bad will not be resurrected but there are some who never really had a chance to show what they were going to be. They will come back to live again on this earth.
Like the Evil doer on the stake next to Jesus.
Then given a chance without Satan to make them be bad.
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- Holy HollyLv 51 decade ago
No spirit = No life
Therefore you are dead according to the biblical definition of soul.
