The concept of the soul has been explored extensively in various ancient traditions, including Greek philosophy, Judaism, and Buddhism. While there are differences in their perspectives, some common threads emerge:
The ancient Greeks, particularly Plato, viewed the soul (psyche) as the essence of a living being, distinct from the physical body. It was considered the source of reason, consciousness, and the animating force of life itself.[1][2] This dualistic view separated the immaterial soul from the material body.
In contrast, ancient Jewish thought did not make a clear distinction between the soul and body. The Hebrew word "nephesh" referred to the living being as a whole, encompassing both physical and non-physical aspects.[3] The soul was not seen as separate from the body but rather an integral part of the living person.
Buddhism takes a different approach, rejecting the notion of an eternal, unchanging soul or self (atman).[4] Instead, it views the self as a dynamic process of ever-changing physical and mental phenomena (skandhas). The goal is to transcend attachment to this impermanent self and achieve enlightenment.
However, some Buddhist traditions, such as those influenced by Platonism, have incorporated the idea of a transpersonal, eternal essence or "mind stream" (citta) that undergoes cycles of rebirth.[5] This resonates with the Greek concept of the soul as the animating principle that persists through different bodily incarnations.
Interestingly, various ancient traditions, including Egyptian, Hindu, and Gnostic beliefs, associated the soul or consciousness with the heart rather than the brain.[8] The heart was seen as the seat of the soul or a higher consciousness that transcends the physical body.
While the specific conceptions differ, there is a common thread of recognizing a non-physical aspect of existence, whether called the soul, mind, or consciousness, that is distinct from or transcends the purely material realm. Some traditions view this as an eternal, unchanging essence, while others see it as a dynamic process or stream of awareness.
Ultimately, the idea of the soul or consciousness as an intrinsic property of electromagnetic fields, as suggested in the query, finds resonance in certain ancient beliefs that associate consciousness with a subtle energy or force that animates and underlies physical existence.[8] This perspective aligns with the notion of consciousness as a fundamental aspect of reality, rather than solely an emergent property of the brain.
Citations: [1] https://asatanistreadsthebible.com/the-soul-in-ancient-thought/ [2] https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2009/entries/ancient-soul/ [3] https://pages.uncc.edu/james-tabor/ancient-judaism/death-afterlife-future/ [4] https://parvizdehghani.com/buddhist-concept-of-the-soul/ [5] https://urthona.com/culture-science-society/buddhism-and-platonism/ [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul [7] https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/our-life-shaped-our-mind [8] https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/18rpm1m/do_buddhist_believe_in_the_soul_or_not/
Thales of Miletus, one of the earliest pre-Socratic philosophers, is credited with proposing that all things are derived from a single material principle - water. However, he also made significant observations about magnets and their ability to attract iron, recognizing their inherent properties.[1][2]
Todd Murphy, a neuroscience researcher, has put forth a theory that consciousness is an intrinsic property of magnetic fields, drawing parallels between the brain's magnetic fields and the subjective experience of consciousness.[4][5] According to Murphy, the human brain contains millions of magnetite crystals per gram, each with a north and south pole acting as information channels for awareness.
The brain's complex magnetic fields, generated by electrical currents in neurons, are proposed to broadcast information throughout the brain at near light speed, unifying conscious experience.[5] Murphy suggests that the brain experiences its own activity through its magnetism, and subjective experiences are the resonance between the brain's magnetic fields and its electrical activity.
This theory posits that consciousness arises from the fundamental laws of electromagnetism, with magnetic fields being intrinsically conscious and capable of "picking up" or resonating with the brain's electrical signals.[5] Simpler magnetic fields, like those of the Earth or ordinary magnets, are proposed to possess rudimentary forms of consciousness, while more complex nervous systems with larger numbers of magnetite crystals can support higher levels of consciousness observed in humans and other primates.
While Thales did not directly connect magnets to consciousness, his recognition of their inherent properties laid the groundwork for understanding the role of electromagnetism in natural phenomena.[1] Murphy's theory builds upon this by proposing that consciousness itself is an intrinsic property of magnetic fields, with the brain's magnetic fields serving as the basis for subjective experience and awareness.[4][5]
Citations: [1] https://asatanistreadsthebible.com/the-soul-in-ancient-thought/ [2] https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2009/entries/ancient-soul/ [3] https://pages.uncc.edu/james-tabor/ancient-judaism/death-afterlife-future/ [4] https://www.god-helmet.com/wp/consciousness_pages.htm [5] https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/neuroscience-researcher-todd-murphy-says-consciousness-is-the-subjective-experience-of-the-brain-s-magnetic-fields/