I do not believe in religion nor will I ever again. I am speaking on strictly scientific terms. Could life after death exist? I believe, if it does, it is a scientific process and not a religious one. I do not believe in all the god mumbo jumbo. This question is to all you very bright and intelligent scientists and scientific thinkers out there. I know that there is of yet no evidence to suggest that life continues on after death. I am just curious to know if it might be proven one day to exist?
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Scientifically, well it's probably beyond the realm of Science.
But rationally: before the body exists -- no.
After, this is another question: we must define 'exists' and do we have a procedure to determine the 'soul' exists after the normal life. And of course define 'soul' or spirit. After life what is left from the individual: emotions?, reminiscence? and what type? thinking?
The question of ghosts: it must be investigated. Even if they exist that does not mean they are the residual component of a once living person: they may be another type of entity.
The question of contact or feeling spirits (not ghosts): it must be investigated. Even if they exist and the experience is a true experience that does not mean they are the residual component of a once living person, like an uncle or a friend: they may be another type of entity.
But rationally: before the body exists -- no.
After, this is another question: we must define 'exists' and do we have a procedure to determine the 'soul' exists after the normal life. And of course define 'soul' or spirit. After life what is left from the individual: emotions?, reminiscence? and what type? thinking?
The question of ghosts: it must be investigated. Even if they exist that does not mean they are the residual component of a once living person: they may be another type of entity.
The question of contact or feeling spirits (not ghosts): it must be investigated. Even if they exist and the experience is a true experience that does not mean they are the residual component of a once living person, like an uncle or a friend: they may be another type of entity.
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Lagerbaer is definitely giving a religiously- biassed answer.
This sense of -------BEING ALIVE -------- we experience is intimately connected with our physical self and functions.
Once our life functions cease, nothing remains except the body. And IT doesn't last long without life.
So far as "near death experiences", being CLOSE to dead is not BEING dead. How can you trust the "memories" you had, then?
I often marvel at the twists and turns and remarkable things that happen when one has a dream. Many such dreams I have had while sleeping are set in settings or involving characters or scenarios I would NEVER think of in waking life.
I enjoy dreams, just to experience things, situations and people I would NEVER have consciously thought of without it being just a dream!
This sense of -------BEING ALIVE -------- we experience is intimately connected with our physical self and functions.
Once our life functions cease, nothing remains except the body. And IT doesn't last long without life.
So far as "near death experiences", being CLOSE to dead is not BEING dead. How can you trust the "memories" you had, then?
I often marvel at the twists and turns and remarkable things that happen when one has a dream. Many such dreams I have had while sleeping are set in settings or involving characters or scenarios I would NEVER think of in waking life.
I enjoy dreams, just to experience things, situations and people I would NEVER have consciously thought of without it being just a dream!
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Science doesn't rule out an afterlife or a soul per se. This means that scientists aren't prejudiced when it comes to these questions. It's only that so far, no evidence exists.
Could it be proven one day to exist? Difficult. If the afterlife is a realm completely disconnected from this world, there is no chance to ever probe it. But if there can be contact - as psychics claim - then in principle there should be tests and experiments you can perform. One test would be if a psychic would finally take on and win James Randi's Million Dollar Challenge by asking some ghost for help...
Could it be proven one day to exist? Difficult. If the afterlife is a realm completely disconnected from this world, there is no chance to ever probe it. But if there can be contact - as psychics claim - then in principle there should be tests and experiments you can perform. One test would be if a psychic would finally take on and win James Randi's Million Dollar Challenge by asking some ghost for help...