Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
perspectives regarding this thought, we were confined to two sides, one of Rene
Descartes affirming the immortal soul does exist and the other of David Hume
METHODOLOGY:
both sides.
chose a side to prevent bias and presented logical reasons to why one
3. This soon followed a tally of the decisions which resulted to the argument
that our group affirms with. To reassure the decision, dialogue among us
members were done once again. Finally, after some time, it yielded a
verdict in which we affirm David Hume’s argument that the immortal soul
cannot exists.
JUSTIFICATIONS
Our first point is in relation with Hume’s “physical” argument. It emerges from the
thought that two substances of different natures which coexist as one e.g. human
methamphetamine, etc., it will definitely alter the normal functioning of the body
especially the nervous system. The individual’s mental capacity stemming from
his or her supposed soul will eventually experience changes and impairments
which upon observation, establishes an explicit connection between the body and
soul. Thus, the “soul”, an immaterial substance in close connection with the
POINT #2
Descartes’ idea that our mental capacity, i.e., the “soul” solely resides in the
pineal gland, modern science has determined the fact that our mental capacity
encompasses our entire brain. For this reason, it is possible to deduce that the
POINT #3
Also, it gives the impression that immaterial substances such as the soul can
come from material substances like the body which once more emphasizes and
affirms the connection between the soul and body. Hence, this reiterates our
previous point that the death of the body specifically the brain by a variety means
such as diseases, accidents, etc. also leads to the apparent death of the soul.
POINT #4
encompasses the mental faculties of human beings which include the emotions.
types e.g. Thanatophobia or fear of death. This specific fear felt by almost
This is because it is irrational for a human being to conceive the idea and fear of
death since the mental capacity that stems from the soul must have previously
POINT #5
his or her previous memories from his or her supposed past life yet in reality,
these memories are non-existent thus again proving Hume’s claim that the
POINT #6
With all things considered, our final point which applies to both Descartes’ and
Hume’s arguments about the main notion is concerned with field of Metaphysics.
In the first place, the notion stated in the beginning, “The immortal soul, can it
exist?” obviously falls under the domains of metaphysics. However, despite the
fact that this branch of philosophy provides logical arguments about the truth and
nature of reality and the objects it encompasses, it cannot fully grasp and
As stated even by Hume himself, “Matter, therefore, and spirit, are at bottom
equally unknown, and we cannot determine what qualities inhere in the one or in
the other.”