Critical Thinking (What Is the Soul?)

Ways with words

Find the words from the text that mean the following. The first letter is given.

1. misleading or illusionary → deceptive
2. in a natural state; not yet processed or refined → crude
3. a mystical horse like animal with a single straight horn projecting from its forehead → unicorn
4. never dying or decaying → immortal
5. come to an end; stop → cease
6. to activate or put into motion → actuate

Comprehension

Answer these questions.

a. What’s the difference between the body and the soul?

The difference between the body and the soul is that the body is physical and exists in time and space, while the soul is thought to be non-physical and exists in time only.

b. What do you understand by the psychologists’ saying that there is no such thing as mind?

The psychologists' saying that there is no such thing as mind refers to the idea that mental activities and experiences can be reduced to or explained by physical processes in the body.

c. How can a mental activity be reduced to a physical activity?

A mental activity can be reduced to a physical activity by explaining how it is produced by or related to physical processes in the body, such as brain activity or nervous system activity.

d. How are mind and body related?

Mind and body are related in that mental activities and experiences are thought to be produced by or related to physical processes in the body.

e. What is the relation between mind and memory? Does memory survive a person's death?

The relation between mind and memory is that memory is a mental process or activity that involves storing and retrieving information. Memory doesn't survive a person's death because it is connected with the brain which decays at death.

f. How is our power on the earth's surface entirely dependent upon the sun?

Our power on the earth's surface is dependent upon the sun because the sun is the source of energy for all life on Earth through photosynthesis and the warming of the Earth's surface.

Do you believe that soul really exists? Write your arguments in support of your answer

The concept of the soul is a complex and multifaceted idea that has been debated by philosophers, theologians, and scientists for centuries. It is often associated with religious or spiritual traditions, but it has also been a subject of philosophical and scientific inquiry.

Arguments for the existence of the soul:

• Religious and spiritual beliefs often posit the existence of an immortal and incorporeal essence that animates the body, known as the soul.
• Dualism, the philosophical idea that mind and body are two separate entities, suggests that the soul is the non-physical component of a person.
• Some argue that consciousness cannot be fully explained by physical processes, and therefore must be the result of a non-physical soul.
• The subjective experiences of individuals, such as near-death experiences or mystical experiences, are sometimes seen as evidence for the existence of the soul.
• Some belief systems hold that the soul continues to exist after death, providing a basis for life after death.

Arguments against the existence of the soul:

• Scientific evidence, such as the study of the brain and its correlation with behavior and cognition, suggests that consciousness and mental processes can be fully explained by physical processes.
• Naturalistic explanations of existence, such as materialism, do not require the existence of a non-physical soul.
• The lack of empirical evidence for the existence of the soul and the abundance of evidence for physical explanations of consciousness and mental processes.
• The concept of the soul is often culturally specific and not universally accepted, leading to questions about its validity as a concept.
• The idea of the soul often relies on non-scientific and unverifiable assumptions, such as the existence of an afterlife.

Overall, the existence of the soul is a complex and controversial issue that has yet to be resolved. While some people believe in the existence of the soul as a non-physical aspect of a person that may survive the death of the body, others view it as a metaphysical or dualistic concept that is not supported by scientific evidence. Still others may view it as an open question that cannot be definitively proven or disproven at this time. Ultimately, whether or not one believes in the existence of the soul is a matter of personal belief and cannot be definitively proven or disproven.

If you want to change your body, you first have to change your mind. Discuss

The idea that changing one's mind can lead to changes in one's body is a common theme in psychology and personal development literature. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes can influence our physical and emotional well-being, and that changing these mental states can lead to changes in our bodies and our behavior.

One way that changing one's mind can lead to changes in one's body is through the power of suggestion or belief. If a person believes that they can change their body in a certain way, they may be more likely to take actions that support this change and to feel motivated and empowered to make the necessary changes. For example, if a person believes that they can become more physically fit or lose weight, they may be more likely to exercise regularly and to make healthier dietary choices. These behaviors, in turn, can lead to physical changes in the body, such as increased muscle mass or weight loss.

Another way that changing one's mind can lead to changes in one's body is through the influence of emotions and stress on physical health. Our emotional states and stress levels can have a significant impact on our bodies, and changing our emotional states or reducing our stress levels can lead to physical changes in the body. For example, if a person is able to reduce their stress levels or improve their emotional well-being, they may experience improvements in physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, or digestive problems.

Overall, the idea that changing one's mind can lead to changes in one's body is based on the recognition that our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions can have a significant impact on our physical health and well-being. By changing our minds and adopting more positive and empowering beliefs and attitudes, we may be able to make positive changes in our bodies and our lives.

Writing

Write critically on the topic, The existence of God

The existence of God is a topic that has been debated by philosophers, theologians, and scientists for centuries. It is a complex and multifaceted issue that involves a wide range of philosophical, scientific, and spiritual perspectives.

There are many arguments for and against the existence of God. Some people argue that the existence of God is the best explanation for the existence of the universe and the apparent design and order that it exhibits. They may point to the existence of seemingly irreducible complexity in the natural world, such as the intricate structure of cells and the fine-tuning of physical constants, as evidence that the universe must have been created or designed by an intelligent being. Others argue that the existence of God is incompatible with scientific evidence and that there are alternative naturalistic explanations for the observed complexity and order in the universe.

One of the main arguments against the existence of God is the problem of evil. This argument asserts that the existence of suffering and evil in the world is incompatible with the existence of a benevolent and all-powerful God. Some people argue that if God were truly good and all-powerful, he would prevent or eliminate suffering and evil, and the fact that suffering and evil exist suggests that God does not exist or is not good or all-powerful. Others argue that the existence of evil and suffering is not necessarily incompatible with the existence of God, and that theodicy, or the defense of God's goodness and justice in the face of evil, is a complex and multifaceted issue that cannot be fully resolved.

Overall, the existence of God is a complex and controversial topic that has yet to be conclusively proven or disproven.

Write critically on the topic, Religion influences ethics and morality

Religion has a significant influence on ethics and morality, as it often provides a framework for understanding and interpreting moral principles and values. Many religious traditions have codes of conduct or moral teachings that guide the behavior of their followers, and these teachings often shape the way that people understand and apply ethical principles.

One way that religion influences ethics and morality is through the provision of a moral authority or standard. Many religious traditions view their moral teachings as being based on divine revelation or the will of God, and they may argue that these teachings provide a higher or more objective standard of morality than human reason or preference. This can give religious believers a sense of certainty or conviction in their moral beliefs, and it can also provide a basis for moral judgment or criticism of others.

Religion can also influence ethics and morality through its impact on social norms and expectations. Many religious traditions have strong communities and social networks that provide support and guidance to their members, and these communities often have shared moral values and expectations. This can create a sense of social pressure or conformity to moral norms, and it can also contribute to the development of moral consensus or agreement within a religious community.

Overall, religion has a significant influence on ethics and morality, as it provides a framework for understanding and interpreting moral principles and values, and it has an impact on social norms and expectations. While religion is not the only source of moral guidance or authority, it plays an important role in shaping the way that many people understand and apply ethical principles in their lives.

Grammar

Rewrite the following sentences using ‘used to’. You can make an affirmative/negative statement or a question

1. I/live in a flat when I was a child. → I used to live in a flat when I was a child.
2. She/love eating chocolate but now she hates it. → She used to love eating chocolate but now she hates it.
3. He/go to fishing in the summer? → Did he used to go to fishing in the summer?
4. My sister/play tennis when she was at school. → My sister used to play tennis when she was at school.
5. He/play football every weekend? → Did he used to play football every weekend?
6. My grandfather/speak five languages. → My grandfather used to speak five languages.
7. I/not hate school from the beginning. → I didn't used to hate school from the beginning.
8. You/live in Kathmandu? → Did you used to live in Kathmandu?
9. He/play Dandibiyo when he was a small child. → He used to play Dandibiyo when he was a small child.
10. She/wear a frock when she was small but nowadays she wears jeans. → She used to wear a frock when she was small but nowadays she wears jeans.

Write a short paragraph describing your past habits.

In the past, I had a number of habits that I no longer engage in. One of these habits was staying up late and sleeping in, which I did frequently during my college years. I also used to be a very irregular exerciser, only fitting in workouts when I had the time and motivation. Another past habit was procrastinating on tasks and projects, which I struggled with during my early career. These past habits have changed or evolved over time, and I no longer engage in them in the same way that I used to.