| Afterlife & Souls | |
|
Jerome W. Elbert comes at the question of an afterlife from a different perspective. Instead of examining people's claims of having experienced such a thing, he examines the claim that there exists a soul which experiences such a thing.
Elbert begins by examining the ancient origins of the soul concept, both in Christian and pagan belief systems. Actually, he spends quite a lot of time reviewing and criticizing religious doctrines in general and doctrines relating to souls in particular.
The discussion about the different types of "souls" that people have believed in is quite interesting - it helps remind us that the sorts of beliefs common today are not at all what people have always believed. The critiques of Christianity and the Bible may seem out of place but, as he points out, belief in the Bible is a source for many people's belief in a soul. If that trust is misplaced, then belief in a soul may also be in error.
A more interesting part of his book is when he explains how the advance of science has changed our fundamental understanding of the brain and consciousness. These new understandings, he argues, have to impact traditional ideas about souls.
Everything in modern neuroscience points to the idea that consciousness arises from the operations of our physical brain. Although we cannot claim to fully understand it yet, this is not the same as actually having evidence that something outside our brains, much less something supernatural, causes our consciousness. No such evidence exists.
As a matter of fact, people arguing the opposite have a tremendous job before them. Their position requires arguing that the nervous system does not operate in the same way it looks and, further, that it does not operate according to the laws of physics. Because of such difficulties, the models offered by such advocates fail to accomplish the task they were designed for.
Another interesting facet to Elbert's argument is that quite a few contemporary dilemmas actually have a lot to do with whether or not we posit the existence of a soul. Thus, his arguments are relevant for the questions of free will and even the debate over abortion. Elbert rejects the idea that we have free will in the traditional sense, but his arguments are too complex to reproduce here. They are, at any rate, interesting and should be taken seriously in light of his arguments regarding souls.
So, is there an afterlife of any sort? Do we have a soul that transcends this earthly existence? Absolute answers may never be available - but all sound evidence suggests that those questions should be an answered with a "No."
Elbert's book makes a very sound case against traditional beliefs in the idea that we humans having something called a "soul" that produces our consciousness and lives on after our bodies have died. Blackmore's books does an excellent job fairly reviewing the arguments and evidence offered in favor of the idea that people who have died and were later revived experienced an "afterlife," concluding that the case of believers is not well supported.
In the end, we do not have a rational and reasonable basis for the belief either in souls or in the afterlife. People will nevertheless attempt to convince you otherwise, and these two books may help you better understand and address their arguments.
First page > Do
They Exist? > Page
1, 2,
3
Do you have an opinion about this article? Make it known on the Discussion Forum!
Get weekly updates about what's new on the site and news from around the world:
|
Read the Latest News on religion, freethought and related topics from around the world! Updated regularly. |
|
|
|
|
