In class we discussed our own views and beliefs of having a soul and if we
think there is such a thing as an afterlife.
Most of us agreed that we do have a soul and that we do think there is
some sort of an afterlife. And that our
belief in an afterlife does influence our behavior in the most part. But then again we cannot prove that an
afterlife exists, in reference to science.
We also discussed that science always wants to prove everything and have
a logical explanation for why everything happens. Even though, there are some things that are
unexplainable. That led us to a
different topic, and we began to discuss whether scientology was a religion or
not. And some group members agreed that it
wasn’t. Also, talked about the school
people has to attend in order to become priests, and if anybody can go to this
school, just to learn about the history of religion and how different religions
came to be. At the end, we also asked
ourselves how our behavior would be influenced by the idea of a soul and an afterlife.
Furthermore, asked each other if we would behave differently if we did not
believe in an afterlife or a soul. We
concluded that maybe some of us would, but for the most part we think that we
would essentially behave the same, because most of us have moral standards that
we come up with personally, regardless of religion or other beliefs. In addition, we said that even if we are not
part of any religion or any other spiritual group, as humans we feel guilt for
the things we do that we feel are wrong.
We know what is wrong and what is right even if nobody tells us. There is just an inner voice I think all
humans have that we call guilt, which makes us feel uneasy when we do something
we can just feel is wrong.
Factual Question: Who were three materialists?
A: Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes.
Group Members:
Alexa, Kenya, Ryan, Sarah, D'Juan, Cameron, and Nayeli.
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DeleteI have often debated about the existence of a soul, and I am still not certain of the answer. There have been no findings of where a soul could possibly exist in our body. We can attribute all of our actions and thoughts to the firing of neurons that can cause movement and thoughts, but there are still instances that have not been answered. We can attribute our morals to our upbringing and experiences, but is that all? Also with special cases of heart transplant patients there have been reported cases of the transplantee having memories of the donor, so maybe there is something called a soul. We could also attribute it to the fact that we by no means have a complete understanding of our body or our surroundings yet. Whatever the case I have no hope in an afterlife. I wish that there was such a thing, so that I could continue to live, think, and be happy, but that is unlikely. If we indeed do not have a soul then when we die, all of our self disappears except for those we have touched. That leads to my last point: If someone does not live with a sense of religion that does not mean that they are morally incompetent, which we discussed earlier. Through personal experiences I have seen that most of them live life with a greater passion, since this is their only chance. They have a much broader sense of humor and enjoy the little things more. They also are not void of care or compassion. It is fascinating and inspiring to watch someone devoid of faith to help out a stranger, because they have no other reason or incentive to do so except for their own individual want to do so. For me, it gives a greater sense of urgency to do whatever makes me happy. I want to make a difference before I die because this is my only chance.
ReplyDeleteFactual question: How long did Pyrhho, the founder of skepticism, end up living?
Answer: 90 years old
Discussion question: What do you think was the main reason why Pyrhho lived for such a long time?
I think we do have a soul but I still believe that it is pretty hard to prove if we do or not. I also think there is an afterlife and that the idea or belief of an afterlife will affect some humans in different ways. But for the most part I think as humans we are essentially good; thus, it would not change our behavior a whole lot if we thought that there was no afterlife. Nevertheless, I believe that we know the difference from good and bad at a very early stage in life.
ReplyDeleteFactual Question: Who taught that all beliefs are nonsense, that nothing can be known?
A: Pyrrho
Discussion Question: Would you agree with the extreme philosophy of Skepticism? Do u believe that any kind of belief, including reason, "is illusory and unjustifiable"?
The question of whether or not we have a soul is one of those unanswerable questions in life. Thinking about this question brings me back to the Doubt Quiz, in a sense that I believe it boils down to your personal feelings on the matter. As a nonreligious person myself, I can only say that I "feel" I have a soul. Throughout history, many different cultures/religions/philosophers have acknowledged the fact that there does seem to be (or it at least everyone can agree that it 'feels' as if) there is an undefinable part of an individual that exists alongside and/or apart from our bodies and egos. What this part of a human being is, whether or not it truly exists or is just an illusion, we have to decide for ourselves. I think the stance that materialists took during the pre-Socratic times is a bit sad - what's the point in "living the good life" if we just turn to dust when we die? I think that undefinable part of each of us is what connects us as human beings and what inspires us to treat others well and act moral and just (or, you know, at least do the best we can). Although I agree, that it amazes me that people who do not believe in the concept of a soul wish to do good to others and live life virtuously.
ReplyDeleteAnyway...
Discussion Question: Why do you believe Stoicism was taken a step further and some chose to live a life of complete Skepticism? Why do you think this lifestyle is/was appealing?
Factual Question: Who is traced back as the first known practitioner of Skepticism?
A: Pyrrho.
I believe to say there is an afterlife, you must believe there is a soul. How can you have afterlife without a soul or viceversa? If one believe there is an afterlife, I definitely believe they govern their actions based off the posibilities of going to either heaven or hell. If one believe there is no existence of an afterlife they actions in this life aren't govern by the commandments of a religion but only the laws of the state and federal systems, which has no implications of an afterlife except the acknowledgement of a God when sworn in, in a court system.
ReplyDeleteDiscussion Question: Do you believe Skepticism is a danger to religion?
Factual Question: Pyrrho teaching taught that all belief was? why?
Answer: He thought that all teaching was nonsense, because nothing can be known.
I do believe that we, all of us, have a soul. Whether you ascribe to a religion or not. And as I had said in class, I DO also think that whatever religion one chooses to follow; will have a big impact on their soul, and how their sense of self is in accordance to, and with the rest of the world. Christians have a walk of faith in which thier soul, is also used symbolically as being a temple for actually God in the form of the "spirit", most Christians have heard the term that god lives within all of us. So a member of the Christian faith strives to live a life out, in which is of a pleasing demand to Jesus himself, and that will bring about ultimate salvation in the end. Even still though, I also think we have a soul because, I feel that at given times in life one can feel their inner self being more influential in the decisions they make and the path of life they choose more so than any other past decisions that are just being made at face value, and good educated judgement. To me, it seems as though that, "It just seems right feeling" that we get sometimes from within, is the souls way of letting us know that certain things are innately meant to be certain ways. Everybody born, has a natural concept of right from wrong, it only makes sense to me that the soul would be responsible for this automatic threshold of right and wrong, hence being the reason most people do choose to live a life or rather feel the pressure to live a life that is morally right, and that will ultimately let them grow as a better more disciplined spiritual individual altogether.
ReplyDeleteFactual Question: Skepticism, was believed to be a form of therapy as well, in what ways was this?
A: It was a way of detaching oneself, a way of achieving serenity and freedom from anxiety.
Why do you think is meant by ancient skeptics, as they believed that pervasive doubt was in fact wisdom, and a reasonable way of life?
Note of Consideration* As far as proof of a soul, I suppose there isn't any solid clarified proof of anything, except for the simple belief of having faith itself. But its important to note that under severly potentially life-threatening situations, such as surgeries, and things like automobile accidents; there have been individuals who report having feelings of first of all seeing themselves from a 3rd person point of view,and then feeling as though they themselves are looking at themselves from above and or outside of the body. They also feel as though their state of mind seems to be elevated, and in some form of a mystical trance, in which colors may seem heightened, and the regard for life as being much more than a physical aspect and presence is felt within the experience. The experiences are known as "out of body experiences." If these feelings the people report are true, could it in fact be the human soul being active and aware of the body as a vessel itself in these trying times or situations?? I think it may very well be a logical explanation for the actual human soul. Anyone care to give their feedback?
ReplyDeleteI think there is a afterlife and that we do have a soul. I have a strong feels that there is something that tells us to think twice before we do something. I believe that there is a place that e dead go so that they can be in eternal peace I would hate to think that after we die we just go pitch black. Our body's are like vessels and there is a soul inside that holds our personalities and our beliefs.
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