digibutter.nerr

[carfilledwithfish]

You're right about one thing, TCH: Humans did not evolve from monkeys. Rather, we share a common ancestor with apes. We went in one direction, gorillas went in another, chimpanzees and bonobos are really really close to humans but not quite, etc. There is fossil evidence of this, read up on it.

More on-topic:

To me, a soul is pretty much your personality, likes and dislikes, everything that makes you an individual. People have souls, for sure. My two cats have very different personalities, they each have their own things that they like - they have souls too. Most animals do.
But where does one draw the line between animals that do have souls and ones that don't? Cats and dogs can learn, play, and are capable of showing affection, but most insects act solely on instinct, born with all the knowledge they need for life, never thinking anything beyond "eat, breed, die." Do they have souls, or not?
I don't really know.

[Popple]

I really don't think most animals have souls.

A soul means you are conscious and aware.

Most animals are not.

[amnesiac]

[Popple]

There are only a few animals aside from humans that have true awarness.

This is concluded through a series of tests involving placing a mark on the animals body and then showing them their own reflection in a mirror.

If they react to the mark they are self aware, if they act as if it is another animal they are not.

The species known to be self aware are dolphins, apes, and elephants; although it is believed other animals may exhibit some form of self awareness as well.

[amnesiac]

[Popple]

That simply doesn't explain it though.

You can prattle on with biological deductions all day but it does little more than provide a basis with no arguments.

Evolution suposedly based upon surviability and reproduction.

How does this explain art, compassion, or sacrifice?

Surely no rational beast focused merely on survival would have their life stripped away from them only to save another.

None of the more complex experiences we associate with human life can be explained with scientific theories because it simply does not add up.

The data is all there, and surely the brain is capable of accomplishing these feats, but why?

Why does it do these things?

Why would we evolve into such a complex society when really it has done LESS for our survivability rate.

The puzzle obviously forms a clear picture, but none of the pieces fit together.

[Zelnor]

I'm too tired for complex psycho-social explanations and religious statements right now, so I'll leave it at a 'Yes.'

[Popple]

I'm just going to say this before another response is posted.

Science has taught us the way the world works.

Now we believe that because we know this that we can rule out any chance of interference by a divine being.

Why?

This earth exists, I exist, and you exist, so of course there has to be some rhyme and reason to it all

Just because the way the mind works is now within the grasp of human understanding, this suddenly makes it possible simply through ranodm coincidence?

Why?

It just doesn't make logical sense to conclude that just because you understand how something works that it could not have been manufactured by an outside force.

[Mana7]

Cause I don't feel like countering Popple's somewhat valid points. I'll just raise another question that could solve the matter, If somebody dies does that person still exist?

[Spiny]

I believe that souls may actually exist, due to not only paranormal events and sightings of spirits wandering the earth from several different and mostly honest people, but due to our free thought overall.
What isn't dirven by instinct, I believe is driven by this subject of debate.
Whereas you are pre "programmed" to rest, feed and mate, the soul is where things get specific in what food you eat, how you sleep, and who you loved.
The Brain's impulses are the closest you can get to the soul's coporeal form, in my opinion.

[Popple]

[Mana7]

Well heres something, if one wondered what happened after someone died any number of possible ideas could come up. And since in those days the sky and sun were thought to be powerful beings and what not the idea could have stemmed from going to the sky a place of great power.

Also Lovecraftian work cant solve a math crisis

[Popple]

While there certainly are some beliefs that worshipped the sun that still doesn't really get to the real heart of the matter.

And that is why did they think someone would go on in the first place?

What evidence was there at the time for someone to deduce that claim?

Certainly our ancestors thousands of years ago did not hold the same level of intellect as we do now, but certainly they did not just make rash generalizations out of thin air.

Everything has a origin, and so far religion and the soul have been two of the most eluding answers.

It is simple not yet known where the ideas of such things came form.

[The Chaos Heart]

[Mana7]