144 - A Case for the Soul with Eric Hernandez

Apologetics 315 Podcast

Summary
In this conversation, Chad Gross interviews Eric Hernandez about the existence of the soul. They discuss the definition of the soul, the relationship between the mind and the brain, and the arguments against physicalism. Eric presents the case for substance dualism and argues that consciousness cannot be reduced to physical properties. They also touch on the panpsychist view of consciousness and its implications. The conversation delves into the philosophy of mind and the implications for atheism and theism. In this conversation, Eric Hernandez discusses the concept of the soul and argues against physicalism and in favor of substance dualism. He presents three arguments for the existence of the soul: identity through change, indivisibility of personhood, and the argument from free will. Hernandez emphasizes that if physicalism is true, determinism is also true, which would undermine moral responsibility and intellectual integrity. He recommends J.P. Moreland's books 'The Soul: How We Know It's Real and Why It Matters' and 'Body and Soul: Human Nature and the Crisis in Ethics' as resources for further study on the philosophy of mind and the soul.
Takeaways

• The soul can be defined as an immaterial substance that possesses consciousness and animates the body.
• Consciousness cannot be reduced to physical properties, and therefore physicalism is false.
• Panpsychism suggests that consciousness is fundamental to reality and can arise under the right conditions.
• The arguments surrounding consciousness and the soul have implications for atheism and theism.
• The philosophy of mind is an important area of study for understanding the nature of consciousness. The concept of the soul is central to understanding human nature and consciousness.
• Physicalism, the belief that everything is physical, cannot account for the existence of consciousness and free will.
• Arguments for the existence of the soul include identity through change, indivisibility of personhood, and the argument from free will.
• If physicalism is true, determinism is also true, which undermines moral responsibility and intellectual integrity.
• Further study on the philosophy of mind and the soul can be pursued through books by J.P. Moreland.

Sound Bites
"I don't have a soul, but rather I am a soul and I have a body."
"If physicalism is true, consciousness can't exist."
"Why not just become a Christian? That's exactly the heart of the Christian worldview."
"Philosophy of mind is where it's at and where it's going to be."
"I am either an immaterial soul or an immaterial substance."
"I am not a purely physical object. I am a soul."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Movie Discussion
02:40 Interview with Eric Hernandez: The Existence of the Soul
09:30 Defining the Soul and Substance Dualism
19:27 Consciousness and the Mind-Brain Relationship
25:06 Objections to Dualism and the Panpsychist View
31:43 Justin Schieber's View on Consciousness
36:28 Moral Obligation and Implications for Atheism and Theism
37:28 Understanding the Concept of the Soul
39:26 Challenging Physicalism and Arguing for Substance Dualism
44:32 Three Arguments for the Existence of the Soul
50:02 The Implications of Determinism for Moral Responsibility and Intellectual Integrity
58:01 Recommended Resources for Further Study on the Soul
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