It is my understanding, theists please correct me if I am wrong, that there is believed to exist in each and every human a God provided spirit which in effect manages and controls the human consciousness.  This spirit is believed to continue in its existence after death, and is provided a place in the afterlife by God.  It is totally independent of the working of the brain although it does affect the thinking of the human  host.

A natural alternative explanation is that there exists a mind that is an emergent property of the brain which supports it, which is the integrator and supervisor of all brain functions and is the source of all human thought, mores, and is the ego or self of the host.  As a property of the brain when the  brain dies or is profoundly damaged the mind ceases to exist.  That is, there is no afterlife for the mind.

Monism, that is all thinking, emotional activity, mores, and sense of self is simply the normal functioning of a human brain occurring in the appropriate brain centers, integrated by neuronal activity linking the various centers.

Are there alternatives?  If not which best describes being human?

I think that the BEST "Alternative" Understanding is THE Alternative Understanding, which rejects stark "Dual-ism" and embraces a  more complete View in which Matter, Energy, Space, Time, "Spirit," and "Soul" and Understood as REAL ...

Jun 16, 2011 -- 12:49AM, JCarlin wrote:

It is my understanding, theists please correct me if I am wrong, that there is believed to exist in each and every human a God provided spirit which in effect manages and controls the human consciousness.  This spirit is believed to continue in its existence after death, and is provided a place in the afterlife by God.  It is totally independent of the working of the brain although it does affect the thinking of the human  host.

A natural alternative explanation is that there exists a mind that is an emergent property of the brain which supports it, which is the integrator and supervisor of all brain functions and is the source of all human thought, mores, and is the ego or self of the host.  As a property of the brain when the  brain dies or is profoundly damaged the mind ceases to exist.  That is, there is no afterlife for the mind.

Monism, that is all thinking, emotional activity, mores, and sense of self is simply the normal functioning of a human brain occurring in the appropriate brain centers, integrated by neuronal activity linking the various centers.

Are there alternatives?  If not which best describes being human?

LOL ...

You certainly are FREE to "believe" in those as you wish ...

If you want to DISCUSS them, perhaps you could start the appropriate Threads for them ...

Jun 17, 2011 -- 1:42AM, Blü wrote:

teilhard

Energy, Space, Time, "Spirit," and "Soul" and Understood as REAL ...

Terrific idea!  Let's include ESP, astrology, Tarot, Scientology, Heaven's Gate, the 6,000 yo earth,  and the Grays while we're at it!

Near Death Experiences (NDEs) have been reported in various cultures throughout time. Probably not a drug reaction, as drugs seem to make them less likely. An area of the brain has been located that can replicate parts of the NDE.  People have apparently accurately reported things from a distance.  AFAIK research attempts to verify this have not been successful (eg, putting a picture on top of a lamp in the OR or ETC).  So, yes, there is no objective verification and there is some evidence that they may be merely a neuronal glitch. 

Newly bereaved (I think around 30-40%?) report one or two episodes of feeling like the loved one was there--heard them, felt them, smelled them.  Of course, one could dismiss this as saying they are missing them. Still, apparently this is rarely more than 1-2 times, and I would guess that if possible they would try to have more than that.  

I remember doing CPR on a guy who subsequently died, so I couldn't ask him, but I had thestrongest sense that he was hovering around the TV asking us to stop.  

I was with my grandfather when he died. My parents, aunt and uncle were with him until about 6.  I got there about 6:30.  Grandpa was comatose.  I held his hand and talked to him about getting to meet his family again.  While I was talking out loud, inwardly I was asking God to let grandpa go while someone was there, instead of all alone at 0230.  Oh, and BTW God, I really had some stuff to do, so could you let grandpa die by 7?  (yes, really). About 6:55 I thought he was breathing easier, then I realized they were really agonal respirations.  It was seriously almost straight up 7 when he took his last breath.  He had a couple random heartbeats after that, but he was gone.  As goofy as it sounds, it really felt as if there was family gathered by my right shoulder and he stepped up and out to them.  Again, this is hardly objective, measurable data.  All I can say is that it was awesome and eerie and profound.

So, I believe there is more to us than just our physical bodies.  I acknowledge that I may be FOS and that there is no objective proof.  

I understand Human Beings to be Unitary Beings, i.e., "Persons" ...