The divisible soul

The soul as an essential ingredient in nearly every religion and yet I have found it next to impossible to find anyone who can even come up with a basic description of what it is. It is clear that various Christians have widely different views on what it is and that in many cases people have not even thought about it much at all.

Is the soul divisible and if so how does this impact beliefs relating to the soul? If we divide a human being into to halves each of which is capable of thought, conciousness and activity including sin, would it be possible for one of the halves to go to heaven and the other not? Is thier soul divided into two or remains a single entity?

Originally posted by twhitehead
The soul as an essential ingredient in nearly every religion and yet I have found it next to impossible to find anyone who can even come up with a basic description of what it is. It is clear that various Christians have widely different views on what it is and that in many cases people have not even thought about it much at all.

Is the soul divisible ...[text shortened]... es to go to heaven and the other not? Is thier soul divided into two or remains a single entity?

The soul is the invisible, immaterial part of a human which, when combined with a human body, makes human life. It is the essense of the individual. It's who you are.

A mind can be split into distinctive personalities for a number of reasons. Still, however, just one cat in there, regardless of the voices in the head.

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
The soul is the invisible, immaterial part of a human which, when combined with a human body, makes human life. It is the essense of the individual. It's who you are.

A mind can be split into distinctive personalities for a number of reasons. Still, however, just one cat in there, regardless of the voices in the head.

That's pretty much it I believe 🙂

Originally posted by dags
That's pretty much it I believe 🙂

Long time no talk. Always nice to hear your voice, even if we have to read it!

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
Long time no talk. Always nice to hear your voice, even if we have to read it!

Likewise, I should have a free spot soon if you like?

Originally posted by dags
Likewise, I should have a free spot soon if you like?

Buzz me when you're ready.

Originally posted by twhitehead
The soul as an essential ingredient in nearly every religion and yet I have found it next to impossible to find anyone who can even come up with a basic description of what it is. It is clear that various Christians have widely different views on what it is and that in many cases people have not even thought about it much at all.

Is the soul divisible ...[text shortened]... es to go to heaven and the other not? Is thier soul divided into two or remains a single entity?

What about split-brain patients? Don't they suggest the soul is at least partly divisible?

http://www.indiana.edu/~pietsch/split-brain.html

Originally posted by twhitehead
The soul as an essential ingredient in nearly every religion and yet I have found it next to impossible to find anyone who can even come up with a basic description of what it is. It is clear that various Christians have widely different views on what it is and that in many cases people have not even thought about it much at all.

Is the soul divisible ...[text shortened]... es to go to heaven and the other not? Is thier soul divided into two or remains a single entity?

The soul is a concept much like a "life force".
We humans like to see ourselves as different, special, better than, the rest of nature - which is perfectly understandable. Any other species would probably do the same - if they could.
But just what might this specialness be?
What makes us better?

Some have tried science as a response - abstract thought, communicative abilities, tool making, etc.

Others use supernatural ideas - life forces, souls, etc.

It seems that the alternative is too harsh for many. Which is? That we are no better or worse, we are different and also the same, we are not special in any way, nor is anything else.
We just are.

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
The soul is the invisible, immaterial part of a human which, when combined with a human body, makes human life. It is the essense of the individual. It's who you are.

A mind can be split into distinctive personalities for a number of reasons. Still, however, just one cat in there, regardless of the voices in the head.

So the question is: if a human being is split into two and only one half has faith in God etc does the other half not have to worry as his soul is already saved?

Originally posted by twhitehead
So the question is: if a human being is split into two and only one half has faith in God etc does the other half not have to worry as his soul is already saved?

I responded to this idea. Although the personality may split, there is still one individual soul.

Originally posted by Pawnokeyhole
What about split-brain patients? Don't they suggest the soul is at least partly divisible?

http://www.indiana.edu/~pietsch/split-brain.html

Alternatively, dividing the corpus callosum could yield two people where there was previously only one.

And let's assume, for fun, that fundamentalist Christianity is true.

If so, then the original person might be obliterated completely, and so go neither to heaven or hell. Or the original person might be recreated when Jesus returns, as the 7th Day Adventists believe, if they are good.

The question of eternal destiny, however, would then arise afresh for the two new people created, who would partly inherit the personal and character of the pervious person to some degree, but each be a locus of subjectivity in their own right.

Interesting theological stuff.

Originally posted by Pawnokeyhole
Alternatively, dividing the corpus callosum could yield two people where there was previously only one.

And let's assume, for fun, that fundamentalist Christianity is true.

If so, then the original person might be obliterated completely, and so go neither to heaven or hell. Or the original person might be recreated when Jesus returns, as the 7th ...[text shortened]... gree, but each be a locus of subjectivity in their own right.

Interesting theological stuff.

My head is spinning.

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
I responded to this idea. Although the personality may split, there is still one individual soul.

Suppose you and I switched one of our brain lobes. That is, suppose we severed both our corpus callosums, swapped left (or right) lobes, and then reattached the swapped left (or right) lobes to each other's corpus callosums.

Would my unitary soul and your unitary be distributed over two different bodies?

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
My head is spinning.

Maybe you have a "splitting" headache...

Originally posted by Pawnokeyhole
Suppose you and I switched one of our brain lobes. That is, suppose we severed both our corpus callosums, swapped left (or right) lobes, and then reattached the swapped left (or right) lobes to each other's corpus callosums.

Would my unitary soul and your unitary be distributed over two different bodies?

My half brain would suck the life out of your half brain and drag both of you kicking and screaming into heaven. How's that for fun?