Shifting Gears #4: The Shifting Gears #4: The Dark Night of the SoulDark Night of the Soul

FeracoFeraco

Myth to Science FictionMyth to Science Fiction

20 April 201020 April 2010

What is the Soul?What is the Soul?

Walking Through My GraveyardWalking Through My Graveyard What is Reality?What is Reality? Monism and DualismMonism and Dualism Subsets of Monism and Dualism (and Subsets of Monism and Dualism (and

Subsets of Subsets)Subsets of Subsets) Monism vs. Dualism: Rage in the Cage!Monism vs. Dualism: Rage in the Cage! Are You Anything?Are You Anything? Where Did You Come From, and Where Where Did You Come From, and Where

Will You Go?Will You Go? Soul, Character, and Personality: Can You Soul, Character, and Personality: Can You

Control Your Soul?Control Your Soul?

What is Reality?What is Reality?

Electrical signals interpreted by your Electrical signals interpreted by your brain?brain?

Maya?Maya? Why do we care?Why do we care? If we’re going to answer the “soul” If we’re going to answer the “soul”

question, we need to know where to question, we need to know where to look for the soul – is it in your head? look for the soul – is it in your head? Heart? Pinky?Heart? Pinky?

Where is It?Where is It?

Clearly, the soul isn’t something Clearly, the soul isn’t something you can grab (Mortal Kombat!)you can grab (Mortal Kombat!)

If it exists, where is it?If it exists, where is it? To solve this puzzle for To solve this puzzle for

ourselves, we need to look at ourselves, we need to look at what constitutes a human being what constitutes a human being – and study some views of reality – and study some views of reality in the processin the process

MonismMonism MonismMonism holds that everything is made out holds that everything is made out

of the same thing – no blending between of the same thing – no blending between anythinganything This “thing” could be matter, could be energy, This “thing” could be matter, could be energy,

could be thought – but whatever we’re made of could be thought – but whatever we’re made of is uniformis uniform

In other words, there would be no In other words, there would be no separation between the “spiritual” and separation between the “spiritual” and the “physical” – monists believe that the “physical” – monists believe that everything is built from the same blockseverything is built from the same blocks

As beings in existence, we’re subject to As beings in existence, we’re subject to the same principlethe same principle Humans are either going to be Humans are either going to be allall spiritual or spiritual or

allall physical physical

Monism Subset #1: Monism Subset #1: MaterialistsMaterialists There are two subset of thought that, There are two subset of thought that,

when combined, form the monist school when combined, form the monist school (think of coins and their faces)(think of coins and their faces)

We’ll assign “heads” to the We’ll assign “heads” to the MaterialistsMaterialists (think Madonna)(think Madonna)

The Materialists believed that everything The Materialists believed that everything is physical – the energy/matter continuum, is physical – the energy/matter continuum, essentiallyessentially In this case, “thought” would not be In this case, “thought” would not be

something that’s “intangible” – it’s a real something that’s “intangible” – it’s a real electrical signal, carried from physical neuron electrical signal, carried from physical neuron to physical neuronto physical neuron

There’s no soul, no “spirit”There’s no soul, no “spirit”

Monist Subset #2: IdealistsMonist Subset #2: Idealists We’ll assign “tails” to the IdealistsWe’ll assign “tails” to the Idealists The The IdealistsIdealists believed that the only believed that the only

things that exist are minds and ideas; things that exist are minds and ideas; anything that seems physical instead anything that seems physical instead is simply a mental projectionis simply a mental projection We’re nothing We’re nothing butbut souls now souls now This body is not a body; my eyes aren’t This body is not a body; my eyes aren’t

being usedbeing used Brains in vats! (Or do the vats only exist Brains in vats! (Or do the vats only exist

in our minds?)in our minds?)

Subsets of Subsets?Subsets of Subsets?

You betcha!You betcha! We already discussed some Idealist We already discussed some Idealist

thinkers and thoughts (Descartes thinkers and thoughts (Descartes and his terrifying essay, although it and his terrifying essay, although it bends in a different direction at the bends in a different direction at the end)end)

There’s some disagreement among There’s some disagreement among materialists, however, on what materialists, however, on what constitutes a human beingconstitutes a human being

We’ll only concentrate on two sub-We’ll only concentrate on two sub-subsets (?) in the interest of timesubsets (?) in the interest of time

Subsets of Monist Subsets Subsets of Monist Subsets (Materialists)(Materialists) Eliminative materialistsEliminative materialists take a hard line take a hard line

““Thought” doesn’t exist, nor does sensation. Thought” doesn’t exist, nor does sensation. Everything is just an electric event in your Everything is just an electric event in your brain, and all events are made of the same brain, and all events are made of the same “stuff.”“stuff.”

Nothing that happens brain-wise is distinctNothing that happens brain-wise is distinct Reductive materialistsReductive materialists are gentler – they are gentler – they

admit thought exists – but they also admit thought exists – but they also reduce it to an electric eventreduce it to an electric event

Basically, materialists argue that we’re Basically, materialists argue that we’re just “stuff”just “stuff” There’s no mysterious or mystical “soul” in us, There’s no mysterious or mystical “soul” in us,

because we’re uniform and undividablebecause we’re uniform and undividable

Hinting at the Death LectureHinting at the Death Lecture If materialist monists (say that five times If materialist monists (say that five times

fast!) have the right idea – that we’re fast!) have the right idea – that we’re uniform blocks of “stuff” – we can’t be uniform blocks of “stuff” – we can’t be divided into bodies and soulsdivided into bodies and souls

Since we can’t be divided, we can’t Since we can’t be divided, we can’t release anything separate when we dierelease anything separate when we die

If a soul’s not put in at birth, a soul’s not If a soul’s not put in at birth, a soul’s not leaving when we dieleaving when we die

““There was a time when we were not: this There was a time when we were not: this gives us no concern — why then should it gives us no concern — why then should it trouble us that a time will come when we trouble us that a time will come when we shall cease to be?”shall cease to be?”

William HazlittWilliam Hazlitt

Intro to DualismIntro to Dualism

We talked about the materialists and We talked about the materialists and idealists as representing two sides idealists as representing two sides of a coinof a coin

DualistsDualists, as you might guess, just , as you might guess, just grab the whole coingrab the whole coin

They hold that both bodies (physical They hold that both bodies (physical “stuff”) and minds (mental/spiritual “stuff”) and minds (mental/spiritual “stuff”) can exist“stuff”) can exist

Justification for DualismJustification for Dualism

Dualists can account for our inability to Dualists can account for our inability to sense the soul by proposing what sense the soul by proposing what amounts to a parallel realityamounts to a parallel reality Our bodies exist in this reality/plane of Our bodies exist in this reality/plane of

existenceexistence Our souls exist in another one – one that’s Our souls exist in another one – one that’s

perfectly laid over our own and runs at exactly perfectly laid over our own and runs at exactly the same speedthe same speed

We’re linked together in time, if not in physical We’re linked together in time, if not in physical spacespace

When we talk about “minds,” we’re not talking When we talk about “minds,” we’re not talking about the physical brain – we’re talking about about the physical brain – we’re talking about that which animates itthat which animates it

Double RealityDouble Reality If you like the concept of human beings as If you like the concept of human beings as

combinations – a fusion of body and soul – you’re combinations – a fusion of body and soul – you’re also accepting the idea of a “double reality” (the also accepting the idea of a “double reality” (the seen and unseen)seen and unseen)

For that matter, you might buy into “double For that matter, you might buy into “double reality” without being a dualist at heartreality” without being a dualist at heart

First, you propose that a human being is First, you propose that a human being is one one thingthing – not a body component and soul – not a body component and soul component, but one whole objectcomponent, but one whole object

Second, you propose that some “omni force” – a Second, you propose that some “omni force” – a god or gods – operates beyond your range of god or gods – operates beyond your range of sensory perceptionsensory perception It affects your life, it can help you, it can sense you – but It affects your life, it can help you, it can sense you – but

you can’t see ityou can’t see it In other words, we are “stuff,” and the “omni force” is In other words, we are “stuff,” and the “omni force” is

something elsesomething else

Subsets of Dualism: Subsets of Dualism: InteractionismInteractionism The dualist school has subsets as wellThe dualist school has subsets as well We’ll concentrate on a single subset We’ll concentrate on a single subset

today, as the others have fallen by the today, as the others have fallen by the wayside a bitwayside a bit

InteractionismInteractionism (and Interactionists) (and Interactionists) believe “minds” and “bodies” exist believe “minds” and “bodies” exist somewhat separately, but can influence – somewhat separately, but can influence – and interact with – each other.and interact with – each other. Sometimes, a bodily action can influence a Sometimes, a bodily action can influence a

mental one; at other times, the relationship is mental one; at other times, the relationship is reversedreversed

Physical Physical Mental / Spiritual (at times) and Mental / Spiritual (at times) and Mental / Spiritual Mental / Spiritual Physical (at other times) Physical (at other times)

A Helpful if Painful ExampleA Helpful if Painful Example

I’m walking along, thinking to myself about the I’m walking along, thinking to myself about the lecture I’m going to write when I go homelecture I’m going to write when I go home

Suddenly, I stumble on a tree root!Suddenly, I stumble on a tree root! I’m not paying attention, so I’m not prepared for I’m not paying attention, so I’m not prepared for

this change in circumstancethis change in circumstance I stumbleI stumble I throw my arms out to the sideI throw my arms out to the side

Eventually, I hit the deck; my head doesn’t get Eventually, I hit the deck; my head doesn’t get knocked around, but I bounce my knee against knocked around, but I bounce my knee against the ground sharply enough to cry out in painthe ground sharply enough to cry out in pain

I look around to make sure no one noticed my I look around to make sure no one noticed my tumbletumble

I push myself up, shake my knee a little, and limp I push myself up, shake my knee a little, and limp awayaway

Reacting to the ExampleReacting to the Example What just happened?What just happened? My body can influence my mind; if I stumble over a My body can influence my mind; if I stumble over a

tree root, I’m not going to keep pursuing my train of tree root, I’m not going to keep pursuing my train of thoughtthought When my foot first made contact with the root, I lost my When my foot first made contact with the root, I lost my

balance (Physical balance (Physical Physical) Physical) However, when I started stumbling, my brain essentially However, when I started stumbling, my brain essentially

“emptied” – I seized up with panic and thought only of how to “emptied” – I seized up with panic and thought only of how to keep myself from being injured (Physical keep myself from being injured (Physical Mental / Spiritual) Mental / Spiritual)

My brain registered discomfort even though I didn’t hit it My brain registered discomfort even though I didn’t hit it (Physical (Physical Mental / Spiritual) Mental / Spiritual)

I cried out in pain (Physical I cried out in pain (Physical Mental/Spiritual Mental/Spiritual Physical) Physical) I looked around, embarrassed, then pushed myself up and left I looked around, embarrassed, then pushed myself up and left

(Mental/Spiritual (Mental/Spiritual Physical) Physical)

Can my soul be “bruised”? Can it suffer injuries Can my soul be “bruised”? Can it suffer injuries through interactions with the physical world?through interactions with the physical world?

The Heart of the MatterThe Heart of the Matter Are you more than what can be sensed?Are you more than what can be sensed? If you If you aren’taren’t, how did you even conceive of a , how did you even conceive of a

“soul”?“soul”? It’s not like anyone believes they have “secret It’s not like anyone believes they have “secret

physical” componentsphysical” components

If you If you areare, which part is more important – , which part is more important – which part lives your life?which part lives your life? When I feel emotional pain, what exactly is When I feel emotional pain, what exactly is

hurting? hurting? Is what goes on in my head – my consciousness and Is what goes on in my head – my consciousness and

thoughts – different from my soul?thoughts – different from my soul? Descartes said no – he felt that the mind and spirit Descartes said no – he felt that the mind and spirit

combined to form the “theatre of consciousness combined to form the “theatre of consciousness and conscious experience”and conscious experience”

Choice, Morality, Happiness, and Choice, Morality, Happiness, and the Soulthe Soul These questions go to the heart of our earlier These questions go to the heart of our earlier

explorations of choice / morality / happinessexplorations of choice / morality / happiness If we’re just programmed by cells and chemistry, If we’re just programmed by cells and chemistry,

are our “infinite possibilities” actually limited – are our “infinite possibilities” actually limited – at a sub-molecular level?at a sub-molecular level?

As you can imagine, monists and dualists can’t As you can imagine, monists and dualists can’t reach common ground here, and they don’t take reach common ground here, and they don’t take too kindly to one anothertoo kindly to one another

The monists believe that we are complex – but The monists believe that we are complex – but uniform – beingsuniform – beings

The dualists believed the opposite – that we’re The dualists believed the opposite – that we’re divided at a metaphysical level, and that there’s divided at a metaphysical level, and that there’s something to us that we aren’t seeingsomething to us that we aren’t seeing

Make the Right Choice…Make the Right Choice…

This question – whether humans have a This question – whether humans have a “soul” that we can’t sense – is incredibly “soul” that we can’t sense – is incredibly difficultdifficult

So I’m going to make you think about how So I’m going to make you think about how to answer itto answer it

You’ve learned about monists – both You’ve learned about monists – both materialist and idealist – and dualists materialist and idealist – and dualists (especially interactionists)(especially interactionists)

Which sounds most logical?Which sounds most logical? Which do you believe?Which do you believe? Are they one and the same?Are they one and the same? Why do you believe what you believe?Why do you believe what you believe?

Where Did You Come From, Where Did You Come From, and Where Will You Go?and Where Will You Go? If we’re living in a dualist existence, the If we’re living in a dualist existence, the

Hazlitt quote is still worth ponderingHazlitt quote is still worth pondering None of us can remember a time before None of us can remember a time before

our birthsour births What was our soul doing before then?What was our soul doing before then?

Where does the river begin?Where does the river begin?

Where do we go after – if there’s Where do we go after – if there’s anywhere to go?anywhere to go? Where does the river end?Where does the river end?

Duncan MacDougall and “21 Grams”Duncan MacDougall and “21 Grams”

Can You Control Your Soul?Can You Control Your Soul?

Can the soul be changed?Can the soul be changed? If not…do you have the freedom to be If not…do you have the freedom to be

the person you “choose” to be?the person you “choose” to be? If it can be…how do you change it?If it can be…how do you change it? Does that mean that the idea of Does that mean that the idea of non-non-

selfself,, that there’s nothing within you that that there’s nothing within you that you can specifically point to and say, you can specifically point to and say, “This is never-changing, and this is me” “This is never-changing, and this is me” – has more truth to it than the skeptics – has more truth to it than the skeptics would believe?would believe?

Soul vs. Character vs. Soul vs. Character vs. PersonalityPersonality If the soul can’t be changed, character If the soul can’t be changed, character

and personality certainly canand personality certainly can This would indicate that soul and This would indicate that soul and

character are separatecharacter are separate If the soul can’t be changed, is it more If the soul can’t be changed, is it more

important than our character – our self-important than our character – our self-constructed personas, the ones that we constructed personas, the ones that we shift in accordance with the experiences shift in accordance with the experiences and knowledge we gain throughout our and knowledge we gain throughout our lives?lives?

Which one governs our behavior? Are my Which one governs our behavior? Are my mind, soul, and character somehow mind, soul, and character somehow separate? separate? (That’s a lot of overlapping realities if you’re a (That’s a lot of overlapping realities if you’re a

dualist…)dualist…)

Why Bother Being Good? (Part the Why Bother Being Good? (Part the Second)Second) If the soul is more important than our If the soul is more important than our

character – but our souls can’t be change – character – but our souls can’t be change – why bother being good?why bother being good? Is it a matter of fearing the karmic Is it a matter of fearing the karmic

consequences?consequences? Are we afraid something bad will happen to Are we afraid something bad will happen to

our souls after we die?our souls after we die?

A point that was frequently made during A point that was frequently made during our morality discussions was that our our morality discussions was that our morals provide a scaffold – they stop us morals provide a scaffold – they stop us from behaving (naturally) badlyfrom behaving (naturally) badly

Why Punish a Soul?Why Punish a Soul?

What would have motivated that awful What would have motivated that awful “natural” behavior, however?“natural” behavior, however?

Our souls? Our souls? If not, why would our soul’s eventual fate If not, why would our soul’s eventual fate

depend on what we do here?depend on what we do here? Is that viewpoint just arguing that we’re Is that viewpoint just arguing that we’re

all bad souls?all bad souls? Are we capable of goodness because of Are we capable of goodness because of

our experiences, or because of what we’re our experiences, or because of what we’re born with?born with?

Should we fear for our souls? Should we fear for our souls?

Now It’s Your Turn!Now It’s Your Turn!

You’ve already discussed choice, You’ve already discussed choice, morality, and happiness.morality, and happiness.

Today, I’d like you to articulate your Today, I’d like you to articulate your personal philosophy regarding the personal philosophy regarding the soul – whether we have one, what soul – whether we have one, what it’s worth, how you can protect it, it’s worth, how you can protect it, etc.etc.

Good luck!Good luck!