Wednesday 20 March 2019

Interdependence

Are atoms or souls ontologically independent? No. Everything from subatomic particles to conscious organisms is interdependent. Therefore, "emptiness" (absence of any permanent underlying substance) and monism (oneness) are closer approximations to truth than atomism or soul pluralism.

The independent soul of Jainism and Samkhya-Yoga is a conceptualization of liberated consciousness but with unwarranted implications of immateriality and immortality. Dependent existence is conditional and transient. Particles are created and annihilated in a vacuum. Consciousness depends on complex, sensitive organisms which depend on changing environmental conditions. Therefore, nothing is immortal or indestructible.

1 comment:

  1. Kaor, Paul!

    But I do believe we have souls, non corporeal spirits which can be united to our bodies but does not depend on them for existence.

    Sean

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