Wow,
This has been a really civil thread with some really good questions.
The questions I have with this and the question of the soul is:
1. The biochemical reactions in brain cells is considered to be our thoughts.
2. All of our memories are stored as molecules or chains of molecules.
Now these statements are pretty well accepted both by Christians and non-Christians. My question is, is this view or approach on brain function, actually correct? If evolution is completely true and correct then this view would have to be correct, and this would basically eliminate much of the theological debate and totally remove any differentiation between man and animals. Now the Christian side of the discussion has pretty much accepted the present scientific explaination, since the Bible makes zero reference to brain function and only refers to our personality essence as a soul and Christians have really failed to think through all of the implications.
Is our brain actually the seat of our being or is it the physical organic interface of something metaphysical, the soul? I raise this question for a variety of reasons.
1. If the present scientific explaination is true, then a persons soul, or his essence is dependant on the overall health and proper function of his brain. Any brain disfunction would directly decrease or eliminate a persons soul or essence, this is a position I can not accept for many reasons.
2. Considering how much computer memory space just one high definition image takes, is it reasonable to expect that a person's complete life, memories, experiences, abilities be condensed and stored in the billions of brain cells we each have?
3.If everything really is in the brain then in essence we should be able to actually sort of distill our personality out of the molecules that are in our brain.
If the brain is only an interface then there will be no problems answering No. 1 ,2, and 3.
If our brain is not an interface but actually "us" then how do we answer questions No. 1,2, and 3? I would really be interested in some thoughts from some of the "deep thinkers" out there?
The actual answer to this question could have some very profound effects on science, medicine, specifically neurology, and theology.
Ron
This has been a really civil thread with some really good questions.
The questions I have with this and the question of the soul is:
1. The biochemical reactions in brain cells is considered to be our thoughts.
2. All of our memories are stored as molecules or chains of molecules.
Now these statements are pretty well accepted both by Christians and non-Christians. My question is, is this view or approach on brain function, actually correct? If evolution is completely true and correct then this view would have to be correct, and this would basically eliminate much of the theological debate and totally remove any differentiation between man and animals. Now the Christian side of the discussion has pretty much accepted the present scientific explaination, since the Bible makes zero reference to brain function and only refers to our personality essence as a soul and Christians have really failed to think through all of the implications.
Is our brain actually the seat of our being or is it the physical organic interface of something metaphysical, the soul? I raise this question for a variety of reasons.
1. If the present scientific explaination is true, then a persons soul, or his essence is dependant on the overall health and proper function of his brain. Any brain disfunction would directly decrease or eliminate a persons soul or essence, this is a position I can not accept for many reasons.
2. Considering how much computer memory space just one high definition image takes, is it reasonable to expect that a person's complete life, memories, experiences, abilities be condensed and stored in the billions of brain cells we each have?
3.If everything really is in the brain then in essence we should be able to actually sort of distill our personality out of the molecules that are in our brain.
If the brain is only an interface then there will be no problems answering No. 1 ,2, and 3.
If our brain is not an interface but actually "us" then how do we answer questions No. 1,2, and 3? I would really be interested in some thoughts from some of the "deep thinkers" out there?
The actual answer to this question could have some very profound effects on science, medicine, specifically neurology, and theology.
Ron