Animals & Identity (Animals)

by David Turell , Tuesday, July 17, 2012, 20:14 (4294 days ago) @ dhw

David believes that our minds are different in "kind" not "degree" from those of our fellow animals. This may be important in the context of belief in a divine purpose, but what interests me at the moment is the implication for those who believe in this unknown energy, or "soul". If our thoughts and identity depend on it, then so do those of other animals. If there's a spiritual universe, then, it should contain every seal, gorilla, dinosaur that ever lived. It has to, unless the "soul" either IS the brain, or dies with the brain (in which case it might just as well BE the brain). Some mystics believe that ALL consciousness merges into a great oneness, -The Jewish religion has animal souls, the Nefesh; human souls are Neshama. In Genesis 'Adama' (first man) has his neshama blown into him and he becomes a 'living soul', according to the best translations. This is from my memory and may be slightly off actuality.