Do animals have souls?

Do animals have souls? Mar 10, 2019 22:14:29 GMT

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Post by goz on Mar 10, 2019 22:14:29 GMT

Mar 10, 2019 17:19:39 GMT rachelcarson1953 said:

So, to bring the theological debate over here where it belongs, the question, to me, is not 'do animals have souls?' but 'are animal souls immortal?'

Yes, I am an agnostic atheist, I believe that when we die, there is no afterlife. But does a soul have to be immortal?

Just because I do not believe that there is a creator or a god, does that mean no one has a soul? I might get roasted for daring to state that I think every sentient being has a soul, given my atheism. But how different is a soul and sentience?

Since, as a fellow agnostic atheist I don't believe on 'souls', I say that neither humans nor animals have 'souls'.

However if you have been reading any of my posts on consciousness, you will have read of my evolutionary theory of consciousness, with it increasing in complexity towards the end point (so far) of human consciousness.

I do believe that on a sliding scale for complexity of brain function, that animals are both sentient and have a certain level of consciousness.

Like you I adore animals, have an emotional connection with them.

I have loved many almost as my children and have fond memories of those that I have loved, and admired many from afar.

But how different is a soul and sentience?

IMHO they are functionally the same because to me a soul implies life after death, and I don't believe that is possible.