Do we have souls?

[rrneck]

135. I'm not sure I can adequately answer that question.

But I'll try.

Everything that happens inside our heads is the result of an electrochemical process. For me to be convinced of any seperate essence we might call a soul I would have to see empirical proof.

Buy does the lack of physical proof make the concept of a soul any less magical? We can give souls to imaginary characters and call it fiction. How barren would our lives be without literature, drama, art, music and poetry?

We can give souls to animals and I think we frequently do. We call them pets. Would that we treated the rest of the animal world with such compassion. All we have to do is give them souls.

What would the world look like if we gave it a soul? What if we treated it as if it had an essence as unique as our own, or at least tried to?

On the other hand, if we conceive of a soul as a thing that belongs to us but is separate from us it quickly becomes a commodity. Then sooner or later there will always be someone willing to tell us what to do with it and punish is for doing otherwise. I think I'd rather music have soul than to sell my soul to the company store.

For my part it pleases me to consider the perception of my essence my soul. I am as I see myself and I can allow others that same privelage. Our souls are something we can give away and never miss, receive and never own, share and never lose.

That's about as close as I can get just offhand typing with one finger.