Science of the Soul

 

Science of the Soul

The concept of the soul was explained in the documentary Science of the Soul that aired on October 5, 2014. This documentary was shown on the History Channel. The term “soul” was explored by using a scientific perspective which included accounts of near death experiences, and brain wave measurements. Questions were posed regarding the concept of the soul: Does the brain activity indicate that our soul exists? Once the soul leaves the body is that soul waiting for Jesus’ resurrection? If the soul leaves the body where does it go? Will science prove telepathy is the result of souls communicating with one another? Is IQ a measurement of the soul?

            Through scientific study it was decided that consciousness is separate from our brains or consciousness is considered our natural brain. The brain consists of 100 billion neurons. The soul is a matter of faith. In 2007, 81% of people surveyed during a peer research study reported that they believe in an afterlife. There have been many attempts made to quantify the soul.

            In 1907, Dr. Duncan McDougal carried out a rather strange and morbid scientific study. He watched six people die, they were weighed before and after their deaths. It was determined that the soul weighs 21 grams or less than an ounce. This study received a tiny mention in the New York Times.

            Through various studies it was determined that the death of our physical body is not the death of our soul. Religion provides us with a way to describe the phenomenon that is  easy to discern. Religion is paradoxical. We want to hug our deceased grandmother; but at the same time we want to live forever.

            Ancient Greeks believed our body is unimportant. Our body consists of basic impulses that are considered somewhat unacceptable. Our soul represents everything that is good. They believed that soul dispersed into small atoms. The Greeks believed in reincarnation. These beliefs are challenged by Christianity which considers the body and soul as one thing. Christian souls are referred to as ghosts. The Ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife and the body is entangled with the soul. They learned how to mummify their dead. They saved the organs and tossed the brain. Renee Descartes said "I think so therefore I am" during the 17th century. The field of neuroscience was bron due to his insight.           

            Science was used to unlock the secrets of reincarnation. Files were examined on 2,500 children. In May 2000, in Lafayette, Louisiana a study was conducted with a young child. He started kicking in his sleep when he was two years old. He would have non-stop dreams. His visions became very real when he was awake. James Leininger was the son of Andrea and Bruce. Andrea was a Ballerina instructor and Bruce was an HR manager. Both were Christian and did not believe in reincarnation. At age three and older he began drawing pictures of a plane that was on fire and diving to the earth.  James reported that when he was older he wanted to fly a F18 plane. James would tell his parents over and over again that he was a fighter pilot and his plane went down. The Japanese shot the plane and this occurred during WWII.  James knew about vintage planes. It was discovered that he may have been reincarnated from James Houston, a navy army pilot. James named his GI Joes Billie, Walter, and Leon. They were pilots who were killed before he died. He said he met them in heaven. His parents were shocked at the details given to them by their son.

            James insisted on meeting with James H.’s sister. He asked about a picture that only James and his sister knew about. It was a picture that Jame H.’s mother painted for her children. Anne, Jame’s sister, finally believed that she was talking with her deceased brother. James reported to his parents that he chose them to be his parents. He thought they would be good parents. He found them at a pink motel in Hawaii during the time they decided to have a child.

            His parents wanted him to move on so they took him to the place where the plane went down. He cried and threw flowers into the water. Things changed drastically after that. James did get on with his life and he even drew a picture that depicted peace.

            It was reported that indigenous people believe in spirits. Need to harmonize the soul with spirits. Harmonizing the soul prepares the youth for adulthood. Westerners believe we are born with our souls. It is believed that the soul is a meeting place between our existence and another world.

            Studies were conducted by working with children, mostly preschool age. The scientists reported that children are closest to their souls before they develop their identity. Alison Gopnik went on to report that neurons in children’s brains are more active, like lanterns and adults brains only light up when learning is going on. When the child becomes self aware their brain slows down.

            In 1846, people started using things that provided a feeling of anesthesia, their pain was blocked. First they used laughing gas and then it was ether. It was discovered that ether blocked the pain. When people are under anesthesia, they do not dream. There is no consciousness. Dr. Hamerof started conducting a study involving anesthesia and patients’ brain activity when they were under anesthesia. Brain scanners revealed that their brains were active as if the patients were awake.

            13 million people reported near death experiences. Near death experiences are very common. There was a study conducted with 1,500 heart attack victims. The mind and brain are separate. Yvonne Kason, M.D. was in a plane accident. The plane went down and she was swimming in very cold water. She appeared to be above her body watching herself swim. At first she felt terror when the plane was plummeting to the earth and then she felt at peace.Yvonne was nearly dead due to hyperthermia. She was placed in very hot water to bring her back to life. She said when her soul returned to her body, it was like a vacuum sound when it entered her body like a genie entering a bottle. Souls do return to the body.

            Dr. Henry Markram is experimenting with a blue brain project. He is building a brain. Questions that come up with these exploration are: will these forms of artificial intelligence be able to reason like we do? Can a model be built that can speak and have a higher brain structure? The scientists are using rat neurons, these neurons are emerged in artificial brain fluid. These are still living neurons. The neurons are mapped. Humans have 100 billion neurons in their brain. The scientists are building a brain one computerized neuron at a time. They are analyzing the rules of the structures of the neurons. The scientists using this form of simulation based research hoped to be completed in ten years. They question will this brain have emotions and a soul.

            David Chalmers discusses singularity and this is predicted by consciousness. Can these machines overpower us? Will the blue brain become evil? These are things to consider. Have you seen the television show Person of Interest?

            Hiroschi Ishiguro has designed a robot that resembles him, an android. It is a life size version of him. His plan is for these robots to join the workforce and take over the hard jobs that humans do not want to do. Hiroschi is from Japan and the Japanese believe everything has a soul. Souls are everywhere. The robots are constructed with facial recognition software. They cost $100,000. However they are referred to as brain damaged. The robots’ body movements are difficult. It is predicted that within the next generation, sensitive robots who can feel and demonstrate emotions will exist. 

            Mechanical companions resembling medium sized stuffed animals were created for the elderly in Japan. These toys were created to calm and soothe them. They are aware of the person’s emotions and respond in a way that provides comfort.

            The soul is a mysterious concept. There are many questions that come up when we discuss the soul. The soul leaves the body when a person experiences near death and then reenter the body. Science has proven that reincarnation does exist. Children are closer to their souls then adults are. People under anesthesia may be closer to their souls. Do our souls have memory and are they part of our consciousness?