Does experiences constructs soul?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of whether experiences construct the "soul," with participants exploring the implications of this idea in relation to consciousness, identity, and individuality. The scope includes philosophical and psychological perspectives, as well as considerations of language and terminology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that experiences shape an individual's identity and consciousness, suggesting that this could be interpreted as the "soul."
  • Others argue that the term "soul" may carry religious connotations and suggest using "self" or "consciousness" instead.
  • One participant introduces the idea of a modern definition of soul as a reflection of social individuality and emotional depth.
  • There is a suggestion that both genetic makeup and experiences contribute to the development of what might be termed the soul.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the existence of souls, viewing them as constructs rather than established entities.
  • Discussions about the emotional and social development of individuals are raised, with references to the importance of acknowledging one's emotional self.
  • One participant critiques the original post for its clarity, suggesting that it lacks coherence and can be interpreted in multiple ways.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the concept of the soul, with no consensus reached. Some agree on the importance of experiences in shaping identity, while others dispute the use of the term "soul" and its implications.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the clarity of the original post, which may affect interpretations. The discussion also reflects varying definitions and understandings of terms like "soul," "self," and "consciousness."

Does experiences construct soul?

  • yes

    Votes: 2 66.7%
  • no

    Votes: 1 33.3%

  • Total voters
    3
infomax
I assume
When we we got birth we were hardwares ,from that point with the single change of time frame ,we began collecting information using every known and unknown sense organs stored in our brain at active or inactive spot, affected our behaviour and our activities to do in the nest instantaneous time frame. All the information that we received actually made us ,we are not of us , we are due to information we get and leaded to make our decision.
if that does it mean information makes soul ? or simply telling experiences construct soul


guys you can help mewith your views, and correct if I am wrong
 
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Your question presumes the existence of souls in the first place. There is no satisfactory evidence that souls are anything more than wishful thinking.
 
Well if you read his post it's implying not the religious soul that your refer to but the 'your mind' soul. You know, I'm not sure what word to use for it other than soul. Consciousness?

But yes I think that experiences build up the person you are. Just think, people aren't born bitter...
 
Blenton said:
Well if you read his post it's implying not the religious soul that your refer to but the 'your mind' soul. You know, I'm not sure what word to use for it other than soul. Consciousness?

But yes I think that experiences build up the person you are. Just think, people aren't born bitter...

Let's try not to second-guess the OP.
 
not a religious soul, purely scientific
 
I think you mean "self" rather than "soul".
 
DaveC426913 said:
Let's try not to second-guess the OP.

As opposed to totally misinterpreting it?
 
There is a modern definition of soul nowadays that necessarily exists as the naming of an observed phenomena.

Infomax hinted at it himself:

...does it mean information makes soul ?

The observed phenomena itself is the degree of social individuality humans, mammals, and perhaps many other species exhibit that differentiate themselves from other members of the same species. Note that I said social individuality, as opposed to physical (aesthetic) differences.

Your emotional sense of individuality, your personal shape of consciousness, would be your soul.

This is similar, but not quite the same as when someone exhibits their soul as utilized by jazz and funk musicians "he's got soul!". In this case, the subject is still the same kind of psychological identity, but the phrase is not implying that no one else in the room has souls; it is implying that he has mastered a lucid expression of his or her emotional depth and maturity. It more means that he is in touch with and aware of his soul (i.e. his emotional and psychological state).

People who "lack soul" (businessmen and scientists are accused of this more than any other social group) aren't really missing their soul... they're just tend to be a bit emotionally and socially underdeveloped.

To answer the OP's question:

I don't think that experience alone "constructs" soul. I think it's a combination of genetic makeup and experiences. You may argue that it is only the genetic makeup, depending on how exactly you define soul, and everything else just affects the growth and development of the soul.
 
Pythagorean said:
Your emotional sense of individuality, your personal shape of consciousness, would be your soul.

This is a pointless and confusing usage, because as I already pointed out, we have a perfectly good word that means that without all the unnecessary religious baggage: self.
 
  • #10
negitron said:
This is a pointless and confusing usage

That may be so, but it's becoming more common in the modern age.

because as I already pointed out, we have a perfectly good word that means that without all the unnecessary religious baggage: self.

hmm, let's try this:

"Self Brothers"
"Heart and Self"
"Self Food"

naw, I like my secular soul.
 
  • #11
and another thing:

When I lay back on my fertilized lawn (as it reacts with my skin) under the golden sun (as it gives me skin cancer) smoking a cigarette (as it gives me lung cancer) and sip a cheap beer (as it eats away at my liver) and I say "ahh, this is good for the self" I can assure you that it most certainly is not good for the self.

The point being that self includes my hands, my bones, my eyes, my toes, my stomach and my heart, while the soul pertains to a certain abstract aspect of the brain.

edit:

however, for your convenience, I will henceforth refer to it as the secular soul. I think I like that better anyway. And it's an alliteration.
 
  • #12
None of those examples is secular in origin.
 
  • #13
negitron said:
None of those examples is secular in origin.

Do you not celebrate any holidays just because they weren't secular in origin? It's important for humans to develop themselves emotionally and socially.

In fact, they're starting to find that even math is learned through emotions initially. They're sort of our mental vehicle, or at least the fuel for it.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200007/raising-baby-what-you-need-know
 
  • #14
Pythagorean said:
Do you not celebrate any holidays just because they weren't secular in origin?

Actually, I don't really celebrate any holidays. They all seem pointless and arbitrary. But, that's just this atheist's opinion.
 
  • #15
negitron said:
As opposed to totally misinterpreting it?

As opposed to answering the question that was asked. If the OP wants to modify it after seeing the results it generated, let him.

That being said, I have no problem going out on a limb, supposing a different meaning and then moving on, it's just that I think it should be granted as a risk and stated as such.
 
Last edited:
  • #16
negitron said:
Actually, I don't really celebrate any holidays. They all seem pointless and arbitrary. But, that's just this atheist's opinion.

I'm an atheist and a physics graduate for the record. I have a sort of disposition towards holidays and spirituality myself, but it's because I'm lazy and selfish and these things take energy and focus, not because I think they're pointless.

It's a lot like exercise, only for the brain (and not the cognitive side of the brain). You don't really feel motivated to do it, but it can be enjoyable once you're actually participating and it's inevitably healthy for you.

It's great to know a lot of things and develop rationale and logic, but it doesn't help a great deal if you're emotionally retarded. This is why I think it's important (especially for stereotypical scientists) to acknowledge their emotional selves, whether they call it their secular soul or not.
 
  • #17
infomax said:
I assume
When we we got birth we were hardwares ,from that point with the single change of time frame ,we began collecting information using every known and unknown sense organs stored in our brain at active or inactive spot, affected our behaviour and our activities to do in the nest instantaneous time frame. All the information that we received actually made us ,we are not of us , we are due to information we get and leaded to make our decision.
if that does it mean information makes soul ? or simply telling experiences construct soul


guys you can help mewith your views, and correct if I am wrong

This is a mess, and it's a good example of why we enacted writing standards. There are too many ways to intepret this word jumble.
 

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