X-Message-Number: 25106
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 13:52:02 -0800
From: Olaf Henny <>
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=3FRichard's_Misunderstanding?=
References: <>

In Message #25087 Richard  B.R. wrote in part:

"Did I ever define the soul in such a way? Sometimes I think people 
do not try to understand my messages. They just react to the words 
I use. This is not a profitable way of interacting with others."

I did not direct my message at you or at anybody else in
particular.  I did therefore not imply, that YOU define soul in
any particular way.

"If you did not have the soul of which I speak, you would not
have continued your message in the way you did."

Thank you.  That exactly confirms my point.  All those
expressions of feeling and attitude of mine, which you ascribe as
proof, that I do have a soul are functions of my endocrine
system, which sometimes lead me to actions and attitudes, which
may conflict with the logic my brain would dictate.

The reason for my blurb was strictly to add my 2cents worth to
the general debate on uploading.  It was to submit to all the
brainy types on this board, that the essence of our personality
does not rest in our brains alone.  Therefore uploading of my
brain makes me into a computer, and leaves my personality behind.

:o) It is even conceivable in case of an upload the new computer
'me' will blow a fuse and self destruct at some of my actions in
its memory, which are completely contrary to the dictates of
logic. (o:

About the soul:

-  I have so far not seen any rational indication of the
existence of a soul, let alone any kind of substantiation of it.
      
-  The creation of the concept of the soul is one, that
originates with all major religions of this world in order... 
a) to give their followers something to look forward to at the
point of death and to create a consolation for those who are left
behind, 
b) to keep the flock together with promises of one of the various
kinds of the hereafter, 
c) in some cases to guarantee adherence to a specific sect.  I.e.
it is not enough to be a good Christian, you have to be a Seventh
day Adventist or a Jehovah's Witness or whatever to be received
favorably at the pearly gates or be one of the chosen to enter
eternity 
and d) to facilitate an explanation, why good/evil deeds as
defined by the specific religions do often not seem to get
rewarded/punished (in this world).

-  The universality of the concept of soul in all major religions
is so pervasive, that even many of those of us who are not
religious subscribe to its doctrine as a tool of reassurance
against annihilation.
           
But the real gist of my previous posting was to point out the
inadequacy of brain uploading.  Even when you should have that
feeling of satisfaction at popping back up to reality, it won't
be there, since the pituitary gland and all its subordinate
helpers in the endocrine system are no longer with you and cannot
give you that chemical impulse that creates the 'feel good' in
your (mechanical?) brain. 

Best,
Olaf

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