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

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept presented in the movie "21 Grams," which claims that a person loses 21 grams at the moment of death. Participants argue that no credible measurements exist to support this claim, as no one has accurately weighed a dying person on a sensitive scale. The conversation emphasizes the distinction between the measurable physical universe and the metaphysical concept of the soul, concluding that weight loss at death may be attributed to the expulsion of air from the lungs rather than a loss of a soul.

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  • Understanding of basic physics principles related to measurement
  • Familiarity with metaphysical concepts versus physical phenomena
  • Knowledge of human anatomy, particularly respiratory functions
  • Awareness of the cultural impact of films on scientific discourse
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  • Research the physiological changes that occur at the moment of death
  • Explore the relationship between metaphysics and physics in scientific literature
  • Investigate the accuracy and limitations of weight measurement technologies
  • Examine the psychological and cultural implications of death in film and media
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Philosophers, physicists, medical professionals, and anyone interested in the intersection of science and metaphysical beliefs regarding life and death.

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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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