What are the 20 grams a person loses when he dies?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of weight loss at the moment of death, particularly referencing the idea popularized by the movie "21 Grams." Participants explore various perspectives on the measurement of weight loss, the metaphysical implications of the soul, and physiological changes occurring at death.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the credibility of the claim that a measurable weight loss occurs at death, citing the lack of empirical evidence and practical measurement challenges.
  • One participant suggests that if the soul is metaphysical, it may not interact with physical measurements, indicating a fundamental divide between physics and metaphysical concepts.
  • Another participant proposes a physiological explanation for weight loss, suggesting that the collapse of lungs and expulsion of air could account for some weight change at death.
  • A brief mention of urine as a potential factor in weight loss is made, though it lacks elaboration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express disagreement on the validity of the weight loss claim, with some emphasizing the lack of measurable evidence and others exploring metaphysical implications. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views presented.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of empirical data on weight measurements at death and the dependence on definitions of metaphysical concepts versus physical measurements.

raaaid
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Im curious about the movie 21 grams

thanks
 
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Just how many people do you suppose have died while laying on a scale senstive enough to make this measurement? How many people have ever measured their weight to this accuracy, and know it to that accuracy at the moment of death so as to be able to detect this change in weight?

I think the answer to both these question is exacly 0.

Why do you think anything that is said in a movie is in the least bit crediable?
 
i don't know maybe you are right and the soul doesn't have to respond to gravity

maybe that would mean that souls don't have to respond to time either
 
IMHO
The soul is metaphysical, it is not of the world of measurment. I as a physisist am only able to deal with measurments, with and must have measurements in order to understand the PHYSICAL universe. This is a fundamental restriction which PHYSICS will never overcome. The similarity of the emphasised words in not cooincidental. Physics is the study of the physical universe. The soul, or essence of life, is not measurable, there for not a part of physics.
 
I suppose when you die, your lungs collapse. This could account for a weight loss as air is expelled from the lungs.
I personally don't believe in God, or a soul. I believe that when your gone, that's it. You've had your chips.
 

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