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Crusader
Re: The old days - Aboard the Apollo - 1973
I like your phrase above, "Some may interpret the results as their being a soul" or as there being a soul (no pun intended). There is a mathematical term called "extrapolation", which is sometimes used to suggest outcomes which can not directly be sensed. It is a valid scientific technique when done properly. A good example is to sum an endless series of numbers, i.e. 1/2 +1/4+1/8+1/16...No one can sit down and sum an infinite series of numbers but through extrapolation, we can state that this series of number sums to the number "1" as the number of terms in the series increases without bound.
The human senses are normally not accurate enough to serve in the capacity of scientific readings. Human senses tend to be "analog" in nature, i.e. one touches something and states its hot or cold or the weather is about 72 degrees today. This type of information is generally not accurate enough for scientific testing. As a result, sensitive measuring devices have to be developed to check out scientific theories.
Similarly, just because human senses can't detect something, that certainly does not mean that something does not exist - the opposite is also true. We need, somehow, to develop means to extrapolate beyond the human senses in order to extend the boundaries of scientific knowledge!
For me, the human spirit would be COMPLETELY proven if someone had very accurate memories of a past life. If an 8 year old boy could state with certainty what his name was, where he lived, who his parents, siblings and pets were, where he was buried, where he went to school, etc. that would seal the deal, especially if he could go visit his former family. How could one deny the existence of a non material component of a person in the face of such evidence.
Unfortunately, I know of no such person who can perform this feat. If such a thing could be done, wouldn't you agree that this was a "scientific" proof of the existence of a soul?
Lakey
I like your phrase above, "Some may interpret the results as their being a soul" or as there being a soul (no pun intended). There is a mathematical term called "extrapolation", which is sometimes used to suggest outcomes which can not directly be sensed. It is a valid scientific technique when done properly. A good example is to sum an endless series of numbers, i.e. 1/2 +1/4+1/8+1/16...No one can sit down and sum an infinite series of numbers but through extrapolation, we can state that this series of number sums to the number "1" as the number of terms in the series increases without bound.
The human senses are normally not accurate enough to serve in the capacity of scientific readings. Human senses tend to be "analog" in nature, i.e. one touches something and states its hot or cold or the weather is about 72 degrees today. This type of information is generally not accurate enough for scientific testing. As a result, sensitive measuring devices have to be developed to check out scientific theories.
Similarly, just because human senses can't detect something, that certainly does not mean that something does not exist - the opposite is also true. We need, somehow, to develop means to extrapolate beyond the human senses in order to extend the boundaries of scientific knowledge!
For me, the human spirit would be COMPLETELY proven if someone had very accurate memories of a past life. If an 8 year old boy could state with certainty what his name was, where he lived, who his parents, siblings and pets were, where he was buried, where he went to school, etc. that would seal the deal, especially if he could go visit his former family. How could one deny the existence of a non material component of a person in the face of such evidence.
Unfortunately, I know of no such person who can perform this feat. If such a thing could be done, wouldn't you agree that this was a "scientific" proof of the existence of a soul?
Lakey
