Personality

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I do not disagree with that and my religious beliefs do not contradict that at all. As long as we have a brain, our personality is affected by changes in the brain. All I was saying is that after we die and no longer have a brain the personality is no longer affected by the brain since the brain dies when the body dies. I believe that the soul is responsible for the personality, so after we die and no longer have a brain, our personality is restored to what it was like before any brain damage or disease affected it adversely.

But you are simply ignoring the obvious -- if you suppose that "the soul is responsible for the personality" (your words), then I cannot see that there is any particular difference between brain injury and brain death. And yet, you claim that it doesn't work with injury -- but it does with death. So how do you arrive at that conclusion?

 

[Meow Mix]

Is personality a result of one's brain function? For example, head injuries are known to cause changes in one's personality. For religious people who may see the soul or spirit as having something to do with one's fundamental self, what do you think?

I’ve seen people argue that the brain is like a receiver that can be damaged such that the “transmission” comes through wrong; but that’s never made much sense to me.

 

[Moonjuice]

So how do you arrive at that conclusion?

With absolutely no evidence.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

But you are simply ignoring the obvious -- if you suppose that "the soul is responsible for the personality" (your words), then I cannot see that there is any particular difference between brain injury and brain death. And yet, you claim that it doesn't work with injury -- but it does with death. So how do you arrive at that conclusion?

With absolutely no evidence.

Well then, that sounds pretty conclusive, doesn't it?

 

[Moonjuice]

Well then, that sounds pretty conclusive, doesn't it?

It certainly does!

 

[Trailblazer]

But you are simply ignoring the obvious -- if you suppose that "the soul is responsible for the personality" (your words), then I cannot see that there is any particular difference between brain injury and brain death. And yet, you claim that it doesn't work with injury -- but it does with death. So how do you arrive at that conclusion?

All I was saying is that after we die and no longer have a brain because the brain dies when the body dies, so whatever brain injury we had when we were alive does not affect us after death.

The soul works through the brain while we are alive in a physical body so any injuries to the brain affect the personality which is expressed through the brain. After we die the soul is no longer affected by the brain since the brain dies when the body dies. Thus the soul is freed from any infirmities of the brain or the body.

For example, if a person had Alzheimer's disease which caused a personality change while they were alive in a physical body, after they died and no longer had a physical body with a brain they would no longer have the personality change they sustained wile alive with a body and brain. That person (soul) would thus be restored to the personality they had before they got Alzheimer's disease.

 

[Trailblazer]

With absolutely no evidence.

There is evidence, just not scientific evidence.

 

[Moonjuice]

That person (soul) would thus be restored to the personality they had before they got Alzheimer's disease.

100% of the data shows this is incorrect. When a person dies, their brain dies, there is no personality left. There is ZERO credible evidence for this idea that a persons personality can separate itself from the brain after it dies. I wish it were true (to some extent), but it’s just wishful thinking.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

To me, I see no evidence of a part of me that didn't result from living my unique life

If there is a soul that functions independently from the body, I would not recognize it as 'me.' If my sense of self exists due to a collection of biological and sociological stimuli, then I could no more consider my soul 'me' than an automated car would consider the passive passenger in the driver's seat 'me.'

The soul may as well be a stranger I shouldn't concern myself with.

 

[Trailblazer]

100% of the data shows this is incorrect. When a person dies, their brain dies, there is no personality left. There is ZERO credible evidence for this idea that a persons personality can separate itself from the brain after it dies. I wish it were true (to some extent), but it’s just wishful thinking.

As I said, when a person dies the brain dies but there is no data that shows what happens to the soul after the brain and body die. There is evidence that when the body dies the soul leaves the body and the soul which is responsible for the personality continues to exist in another realm of existence, the spiritual world. Just because that evidence is not credible to you that does not mean it is not evidence.

 

[Trailblazer]

If there is a soul that functions independently from the body, I would not recognize it as 'me.'

The soul may as well be a stranger I shouldn't concern myself with.

How do you know you would not recognize it as you? What if that soul became associated with a new and different kind of body, a spiritual body?

If my sense of self exists due to a collection of biological and sociological stimuli,

But what if it doesn't exist for that reason? What if it has nothing to do with anything physical?

 

[ADigitalArtist]

How do you know you would not recognize it as you? What if that soul became associated with a new and different kind of body, a spiritual body?

But what if it doesn't exist for that reason? What if it has nothing to do with anything physical?

See first line. 'To me, I see no evidence of a part of me that didn't result from living my unique life'

 

[Trailblazer]

See first line. 'To me, I see no evidence of a part of me that didn't result from living my unique life'

I agree that all of you resulted from you living your unique life but I do not believe that who you are as a reset of your unique life will always be associated with your physical body.

 

[firedragon]

100% of the data shows this is incorrect. When a person dies, their brain dies, there is no personality left.

What data proves 100% that "there is no personality left"? Can you please provide the data?

 

[Laika]

Is personality a result of one's brain function? For example, head injuries are known to cause changes in one’s personality.

By default, I’d say “yes” based on assuming consciousness is the product of the brain and the nervous system. But the science (and especially the philosophy) is probably not as settled as the materialist view. As a non-expert on psychology and consciousness, I am as comfortable with that as my ignorance on the subject will allow me to be.

 

[RestlessSoul]

The soul exists within the brain.

And also without it

 

[SalixIncendium]

The soul exists within the brain.

Where in the brain? The cerebrum? The cerebellum? The medulla oblongata?

Is the soul's existence dependent on the brain?

 

[VoidCat]

Where in the brain? The cerebrum? The cerebellum? The medulla oblongata?

Is the soul's existence dependent on the brain?

I have no clue the answers to your questions. I don't think it's dependant.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

All I was saying is that after we die and no longer have a brain because the brain dies when the body dies, so whatever brain injury we had when we were alive does not affect us after death.

The soul works through the brain while we are alive in a physical body so any injuries to the brain affect the personality which is expressed through the brain. After we die the soul is no longer affected by the brain since the brain dies when the body dies. Thus the soul is freed from any infirmities of the brain or the body.

Well, you may suppose all that if you'd like. There isn't a scintilla of evidence of any sort that suggests it's anything like true, however.

For example, if a person had Alzheimer's disease which caused a personality change while they were alive in a physical body, after they died and no longer had a physical body with a brain they would no longer have the personality change they sustained wile alive with a body and brain. That person (soul) would thus be restored to the personality they had before they got Alzheimer's disease.

Really? How long before? Just before? Years before? What about almost a whole lifetime before? Would the resulting "personality" thus be totally infantile?

 

[Trailblazer]

Is the soul's existence dependent on the brain?

No, the brain's function is dependent upon the soul.