The Soul and Its Perception

It's astonishing that in the year 2024, a significant number of individuals still embrace the perspective illustrated by William Blake, which depicts the soul's ascent to the afterlife at the moment of death. Recent surveys indicate that around 90% of Americans hold this belief, with figures rising to 99% in religious and developing nations like Somalia and Libya. The prevailing notion suggests that a typical Libyan anticipates rising from their physical form, much like the soul portrayed in Blake's artwork. While I find it amusing that the soul appears to be waving cheerfully, this is the specific definition of the soul I will address in this chapter—not some abstract energy or quantum phenomenon, but rather this imagined entity that resembles me, is eternal, and never perishes.

When the dreaded trumpet sounds, the dormant dust shall awaken,

And every joint shall find its rightful place,

With a new elegance unknown to its initial state.

The conscious soul will not mistake its partner; amidst the crowd,

It will rush into the arms of its other half,

With the eagerness of a man returning home after a long absence.

What a joyous reunion! Neither time nor death shall separate them again!

It is merely a long night, a moonless night;

We make the grave our resting place, and then we are gone!

In 1805, Blake was commissioned to create illustrations for a deluxe edition of this poem, originally penned by Scottish poet Robert Blair over fifty years earlier. The stanza captures the moment when the departed individual encounters their new form as an eternal soul, differing slightly from Blake's illustration, which suggests that the eternal soul was already contained within the departed's body and simply ascended at the moment of demise. This levitation phenomenon has been frequently reported in hospitals worldwide, where individuals claim to have observed their own bodies from above.

How did this notion persist despite the Darwinian challenge to our understanding of creation? How can we reconcile the idea of the soul's reluctant departure from the body with evidence of our mechanistic evolution through natural selection?

The allure of a new body, one unburdened by mortality, is undoubtedly appealing—a more enjoyable existence than our current, impermanent state. This upgraded version of ourselves implies that we would never grow ill or experience death again.

Even if Blake's whimsical soul truly existed, the unsettling reality is that this soul would possess no self. The philosophical issue of the infinitely regressing homunculus highlights that for a soul to have a self, there must be a "little man" inside the soul observing from within, which leads to an endless chain of observers. After death, if we were to survive, we would confront the same existential questions we currently face: Who am I? What am I?

It was already perplexing to navigate life as a mere mortal, wandering in search of answers. Now, soaring in a new form, I would still grapple with the questions of identity. This selfless entity, devoid of a center, raises the question: What am I, truly?

The belief in the soul has been debunked and relegated to history due to the principles of evolution. So why do we continue to act as if this notion holds weight? The answer lies in our mental capacity to construct a complete picture from fragmented parts, even when crucial elements are absent. We excel at "filling in the gaps."

Yet, it’s time to confront the uncomfortable truth: it is scientifically untenable for the theory of evolution to coexist with the existence of the human soul. The following logical progression elucidates this:

1. We evolved from simpler organisms.
2. No rational individual would argue that these organisms possess a soul.
3. For us to have a soul, it must have evolved at some point.
4. The notion of parents without souls giving rise to a soul-bearing child is as implausible as a kangaroo giving birth to a duck.
5. While adolescents may feel their parents lack a soul compared to their own perceived "soulfulness," it's important to remember that parents work hard for their children.
6. The fantasy of a post-mortem paradise, akin to the dreams of a suicide bomber, illustrates how our ideas about the soul often lead to unrealistic expectations about life after death.
7. The belief that we remain the same person from one day to the next is a fallacy; everything about us changes continuously, except for our habitual awareness.
8. The essence of individuals, such as Doctor Enderson, evolves over time. Each version is distinct, yet we often mistakenly attribute a singular essence to them.

The Cultural Perspective on Death

While the concept of death may be daunting, cultures such as the Hispanic community celebrate it with humor and remembrance, as seen in the Day of the Dead. This holiday serves as a poignant reminder to cherish life and honor those who have departed.

As I conclude this reflection, I find myself more connected to my ancestors and the essence of life. It is a beautiful surprise to acknowledge their presence and remember that we will all eventually reunite in some form.

Here’s the Scientists: series so far:

Scientists: We Have Some Very Bad News For You

You might want to sit down

This video discusses scientific evidence regarding the existence of the soul, exploring how contemporary studies challenge traditional views.

This video delves into the scientific proof for the spirit, shedding light on the intersection of the soul and modern science.