LegalizeThought

Who we are is an old and constantly revisited question. It’s common for people to immediately identify themselves as their soul, as opposed to mind and body presumably. What is the soul? How does it differ from mind and body? What result becomes of the answers?

I started as a genetic product of my parents. I have since been shaped through my perspective of experiences and my environment. My perspective is often influenced by some biological process such as the human life cycle, survival or procreation instincts. More importantly, I see myself as a force that influences others in various ways, and is also influenced by them.

(Body * Environment) = Perspective * Experience + Social influences = ME

How much of that is my "Soul" ? If my soul existed independent of my body, what would be left? Could I call that *Me*? I know my perspective would have to change drastically without my body. Memories of my experiences are stored in my brain, so I assume they will go with my body. My social influences and environment would have to change drastically without a physical presence. The only thing left that has not been defined as a measurable part of my body is the elusive "Spark of life" concept, which is the idea of what give life to matter. I don’t believe in this concept, but I have a hard time ruling it out, so consider it possible.

Through a little bit of critical thinking I have determined that the soul is either a "Spark of life" concept, or the only thing left of us when our body expires is the residual influence we have on others.

If your soul is your life force minus memories perspective etc. why is there all the fuss over the after life? How do you reward or punish a spark of life? Without all of the things that add up to you, is that you being punished or rewarded? Or is that a part of you?

I don’t have any opinions on the last questions, but they are important because they are a big tool used by people to rationalize injustice in the world. Maybe someone who claims that justice is served in the afterlife can answer these questions.

Justice is a concept of balance to moral actions. Regardless of our moral code, people want to see some sort of justice. It’s self evident that our observable world has lacks some sort of force that creates a moral balance, and this is unsettling. If you subscribe that people are rewarded and punished in an afterlife, think of this article on the soul, and what part of them justice is applied to.

The concepts of the eternal soul and justice in an afterlife take the scales of justice and put one end beyond a point that we can ever see or know. I am not satisfied with any consolation of an afterlife which I cannot see or prove, or know that I’ll (definition of *ME* applied) enter. True justice must take place in our observable world during the lifetime we have to interact in it.

Good Reference: *here*