Does a Soul's Existence Differentiate Between Being Dead and Nonexistent?

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The discussion centers on the distinction between being not alive and not existing, particularly in relation to the existence of a dead body. It argues that while a dead body continues to exist after death, the essence of a person—referred to as "we"—ceases to exist. This raises questions about the nature of existence and consciousness, suggesting that the concepts of being unconscious and ceasing to exist may be indistinguishable. Additionally, the conversation touches on the historical context of the term "existence," linking it to philosophical discussions about the nature of God and the potential existence of a soul.
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What is the difference between being not alive and not existing? That is, does a dead body exist?

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I think this is a great question. The answer I think is simply, we are not our bodies. When we die, our dead body exists, but we are dead (we have ceased to exist but our bodies continue to exist). But what is this "we" that died, and stopped existing if it's not the body? I cannot see any difference between being unconscious, and ceasing to exist.
 
As far as I am aware, the word "existence" was coigned by Mid-Age phylosphers to be able to discuss about the properties of God.
 
The question must first state whether a soul exists or not.
 
Similar to the 2024 thread, here I start the 2025 thread. As always it is getting increasingly difficult to predict, so I will make a list based on other article predictions. You can also leave your prediction here. Here are the predictions of 2024 that did not make it: Peter Shor, David Deutsch and all the rest of the quantum computing community (various sources) Pablo Jarrillo Herrero, Allan McDonald and Rafi Bistritzer for magic angle in twisted graphene (various sources) Christoph...
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