INTRO:

“The immortal soul, can it exist?” a notion argued by numerous

philosophers throughout time and now by us students. Given the vast

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

who refutes the former’s notion.

METHODOLOGY:

As biology students taking up philosophy of science, our group devised a

systematic approach in discerning which side to settle with.

1. First and foremost, each of us acquired information through online and

library research about the two arguments so as to give equal footing to

both sides.

2. After gaining sufficient insight regarding the two arguments, we individually

chose a side to prevent bias and presented logical reasons to why one

preferred it. Moreover, this also brought about discussions amongst us on

the arguments thereby clarifying misconceptions and uncertainty.

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

In relation to our chosen stance, we have formulated a number of justifications to

support Hume’s claim on the soul.

POINT #1:

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

being, possesses a direct relationship thereby being dependent on one another.

For example, if an individual were to take drugs like marijuana, ecstasy,

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

material body, is mortal because it will definitively perish in certain instances

especially in case of the body’s death.

POINT #2

Furthermore, building up on the previous concept, we have developed another

justification which hinges on the notions of modern science. Contrary to

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

soul is brain dependent.

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

In addition, delving in the domain of psychology, another point supporting our

affirmation on Hume’s argument was formed. The capacity to think, according to

Descartes, indicates the existence of a soul but “thinking” in this context

encompasses the mental faculties of human beings which include the emotions.

Consequently, Fear is considered a fundamental emotion that occurs in several

types e.g. Thanatophobia or fear of death. This specific fear felt by almost

everyone, although in varying degrees, contradicts the immortality of the soul.

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

known its immortality from the beginning of its existence.

POINT #5

Moreover, if the soul allegedly is immortal, it is necessary that an individual retain

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

immortal soul cannot exist.

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

comprehend them. Moreover, the method utilized by metaphysics in obtaining

knowledge, “abstract reasoning”, cannot truly provide definitive facts or existence.

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.”