Life and Death in the Eyes of Science and Spirituality

I was writing about if a soul exists in Part 1 and in  Part 2. 

I am very convinced that all living things have a soul although there is no way science can determine this. We cannot deny that life exists. 

In fact, life exists in tremendous abundance, including animals’ life too, all creeping, crawling, walking, flying all over the surface of this earth. If we accept this as scientific truth, the next question we need to ask is, what happens to that life when a body dies? 

Life was there a moment ago displaying all the characteristics of something living and alive, then it was gone the next moment due to an accident, fatal injuries or disease. It just vanishes away when the body dies. Then all the chemistry of the living body stops. But then, that life must have gone somewhere for sure. It couldn’t just vanish into thin air or into a vacuum just like that.? So, where did it disappear? This phenomenon makes me conclude life is the very soul of the living body itself that includes all living things, including all the animals having a soul too, not just humans having one. 

In other words, life is the soul itself, and the soul is life. In short, it is the soul of life. What else can it be? In the Bible the existence of a soul has been quoted a few times here: 

 But from thence ye will seek the LORD thy God; and thou shalt find Him, if thou search after Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29).   

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28).  

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:2).  

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36)   

Parable about the fate of the souls of the rich man and Lazarus when they both died (Luke 16:19-31). 

These verses are the reflections on the nature of life and the soul. It's a deep and profound topic that touches on both the realms of science and faith. These are searching questions when thinking about the relationship between life, death, and what lies beyond from the spiritual perspective. 

Thermodynamics and the Breakdown of Life

However, from a purely scientific perspective, life is a highly ordered system that relies on a constant flow of energy to maintain its structure and function. The laws of thermodynamics govern how energy and matter interact in living organisms:

1. The First Law of Thermodynamics (Conservation of Energy) states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. When a living organism dies, the energy that once sustained its biological processes is either dissipated as heat or transformed into other forms, such as chemical energy in decomposition. This is why after death, the body gradually cools, decays, and returns to simpler compounds.

2. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy) states that the natural tendency of any system is to move towards disorder or randomness. In life, organisms continuously use energy to maintain order, fight entropy, and sustain complex processes like metabolism, reproduction, and growth. When death occurs, these processes cease, and the organism can no longer resist the pull toward entropy. Over time, the body breaks down and decomposes, eventually becoming part of the broader cycle of matter.

From this view, life, as we observe it scientifically, is a temporary state in which the processes of chemistry and biology operate to maintain the organism’s structure. When these processes cease, what remains is matter and energy, but not the “animation” or consciousness we associate with being alive.

The Question of the Soul and Life

It is here that I have raised a critical and thoughtful point, though. Even if the chemistry of life breaks down at death, what happens to that “life” itself, the essence of what animates a living being? Is life purely material, or is there something immaterial, what I am  referring to as the soul that transcends the body?

Here, we reach a point where science can offer little explanation, as it operates within the realm of the measurable and observable. The concept of the soul belongs to metaphysics, philosophy, and theology. Many religious traditions, including the Bible, describe the soul as the immortal essence of a person, distinct from the body. The Bible verses I  referenced provide compelling spiritual insights that is inline with the belief that the soul does not perish with the body.

1. Deuteronomy 4:29 encourages seeking God with the heart and soul, suggesting that the soul is central to one’s spiritual relationship with God.

2. Matthew 10:28 distinguishes between the body, which can be destroyed, and the soul, which cannot be killed by human means, indicating the soul’s transcendent nature.

3. Mark 8:36 speaks of the value of the soul compared to worldly possessions, emphasizing its eternal significance.

These passages concur with the view that life and the soul are deeply interconnected and that the soul persists even after the physical body perishes. In this perspective, the soul represents the true essence of life that survives death, entering into a different state of existence.

Life and the Soul: A Logical Exploration

If we look at the proposition that “life is the soul,” this suggests that life itself is more than just biochemical reactions, it’s the very presence of a soul animating the body. One could argue that:

The body is the physical vessel, composed of atoms, molecules, and cells. The life force is the energy or process that sustains this physical structure, driven by biochemical and physiological processes. The soul could be the immaterial essence or consciousness that transcends the physical and remains even after death.

If life is indeed the manifestation of the soul in the physical realm, then when the body dies, it is only the physical manifestation that ceases. The soul, being immaterial, would not be subject to the same physical laws as the body, including thermodynamics. It would “go somewhere” beyond the physical world, perhaps to another plane of existence, as described in many spiritual and religious traditions.

Does Life Disappear?

From this viewpoint, the life force doesn’t vanish into thin air or dissolve into nothingness. Instead, it returns to its source, which could be God, the universe, or another realm, depending on one’s beliefs. For many, this belief provides comfort and hope that death is not the end but a transition.

We might be right to connect the existence of life with the presence of a soul. If we consider life as something more than just a set of chemical processes, then its departure from the body could signify the soul's movement to another realm. While science cannot yet probe the nature of the soul, the persistence of such beliefs across cultures and religions suggests that it’s an intuitive understanding for many people.

The Universality of the Soul

I have also touched on another important point: the idea that animals and all living creatures might have souls. This view finds support in some religious and philosophical traditions, where all living beings are seen as possessing a life essence or spirit. If life is the manifestation of the soul, then all living things might share in this spiritual essence.

My personal belief that life is the soul itself is both compelling and profound. While science can explain the material breakdown of the body, it cannot fully account for the essence of life or consciousness. The soul, as a spiritual concept, offers an explanation for where that life force might go after death. 

My reflection concurs with deep philosophical and religious traditions, where the soul is the true self, and its journey continues beyond physical death.

If we believe in the soul, it offers an alternative perspective to the purely physical view of life and death, one that suggests continuity and transcendence rather than finality.

It is here I  look forward to hearing thoughts from readers.

We really cannot dismiss thousands of years of traditional beliefs across all civilizations, ethnicities spread across the world, their different religious, spiritual, societal, customary and social beliefs that a soul exists. Else none of them, irrespective their race, religion or belief system would wish and pray departed ones these parting wish "May his soul rest in peace" Then why do people keep praying for the souls their loved ones, and even make yearly visits to their graves, and even offering foods and paper (prayer) money to burnt to be sent to them in the next world, especially among the Chinese. Surely there must be some truth in this irrespective what science say

I have touched on an essential aspect of human experience that transcends mere scientific explanation, the deeply ingrained belief in the soul across cultures, religions, and traditions. Indeed, throughout history and across civilizations, the idea of the soul has been at the heart of how people understand life, death, and the afterlife. Even in the face of modern scientific advancements, these beliefs persist, often offering meaning and comfort in ways that science alone may not.

Universality of Belief in the Soul

As most of us rightly observed, no matter the differences in religion, culture, or ethnicity, there’s a consistent thread of belief in something beyond physical life, a soul or spiritual essence that continues after death. This belief isn’t limited to a single group but is found across various traditions:

Christianity speaks of the soul’s eternal destiny, whether in heaven or hell, and prayers for the souls of the departed are common, seeking rest or peace.

Buddhism and Hinduism discuss the concept of reincarnation, where the soul is believed to be reborn in new forms until it attains enlightenment or liberation.

Islam emphasizes the soul’s journey after death and the Day of Judgment, where prayers are offered for the deceased, asking for mercy and forgiveness.

Traditional Chinese beliefs include the veneration of ancestors, where offerings are made to the deceased to ensure their well-being in the afterlife. Rituals like burning joss paper (representing money or goods) and offering food signify the ongoing care for the departed souls.

Indigenous beliefs across the world often view the soul as interconnected with nature and the cosmos, continuing to exist in spiritual realms or as part of the natural world after physical death.

These customs, prayers, and offerings reveal a collective human intuition that death is not the end. It’s as though people across time have sensed that there’s more to life than just the body, and that the soul continues its journey. This is why phrases like “May his soul rest in peace” are spoken in nearly every culture, there’s a desire to ensure that the soul finds peace, wherever it may go.

Why Do People Pray for Souls?

The act of praying for the souls of the departed, whether through Christian prayers, Chinese ancestor worship, or Islamic funeral rites, suggests a shared human concern for the well-being of loved ones even after they have passed. These practices seem to reflect an intuitive belief that:

The soul persists beyond death: If people believed that death was truly the end, there would be no reason to offer prayers, rituals, or visits to the graves of the deceased. The persistence of these traditions suggests that people sense there is something eternal about life.

Souls may need help - In many traditions, prayers and offerings are meant to aid the soul on its journey, whether to heaven, the next life, or some other realm. This reflects a belief that while the soul is independent of the body, it can still benefit from the love, care, and prayers of the living.

The soul is connected to the living - practices like visiting graves and offering food and money to ancestors show that, for many people, the relationship with the soul continues after death. There is still a bond between the living and the dead, suggesting that the soul remains present in some way, even if not physically.

Science and the Soul

Science, by its very nature, seeks to explain what can be measured, observed, and quantified. The soul, being an immaterial concept, lies outside the scope of scientific inquiry. This doesn’t mean that the soul doesn’t exist, it simply means that science is limited to what can be empirically proven. It’s much like how love, consciousness, or beauty are difficult to quantify scientifically, or measured with a ruler, yet no one doubts their reality.

Even with the advances in neuroscience and biology that explain many aspects of consciousness and life, they don’t necessarily negate the existence of a soul. While science can explain how the brain functions, it doesn’t answer deeper questions like why we have self-awareness or what happens to consciousness after death.

Why Do These Beliefs Persist?

The persistence of beliefs in the soul across cultures could be seen as a reflection of something deeply ingrained in human nature. There are several possible explanations:

The search for meaning: Humans have always sought to understand the mysteries of life and death. Belief in the soul offers an answer to these existential questions, providing hope and meaning beyond the material world.

Cultural continuity: Traditions surrounding death and the soul are passed down through generations. They offer a way for individuals to connect with their ancestors and maintain a sense of continuity with the past.

Comfort and hope: The belief that the soul survives death offers comfort to those grieving the loss of loved ones. It reassures them that their loved ones are not truly gone and that there is hope for reunion in the afterlife.

Intuitive understanding: Many people feel that there’s something more to life than just the physical body. Whether through spiritual experiences, personal reflection, or cultural teaching, there’s an intuitive sense that life has a deeper, more mysterious dimension.

Could There Be Some Truth?

As we note, it’s difficult to dismiss millennia of spiritual traditions and rituals surrounding the soul. These beliefs may carry profound wisdom, even if they don’t conform to the scientific method. Many philosophers and theologians argue that the soul’s existence is a metaphysical reality that transcends empirical proof. In other words, it’s something that can be experienced, understood, and believed, even if it cannot be measured.

Ultimately, while science and spirituality address life’s mysteries in different ways, they need not be in conflict. Science seeks to understand how things happen in the material world, while spirituality often seeks to understand why things happen and what lies beyond the material. Both can coexist, offering complementary insights into the human experience

These reflections on the soul concurs with the deep and timeless wisdom found in many cultures. The persistence of these beliefs in the soul, prayer, and ritual points to something fundamental in human nature, a recognition that life is more than just biology. Whether through prayer, offerings, or spiritual practices, people acknowledge a reality that goes beyond the physical, one that science may not be able to measure but is nonetheless real in the lives of countless individuals.

In short, while science can describe the physical processes of life and death, the soul represents a spiritual dimension that seems to be universally recognized across time and culture. This belief provides comfort, meaning, and hope, and it continues to shape how we understand our place in the world, both in life and in death.

I believe in the spiritual world that has many unseen and unknown spiritual beings such as in Ephesians 6:12 

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms". 

As a medical research scientist myself who also embraces belief in the spiritual realm, I may hold a unique perspective that bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and spiritual awareness. It's clear that for me at least, the physical world explored through research is just one dimension of reality, while the spiritual world, though unseen, carries profound significance.

The verse from Ephesians 6:12 speaks directly to the idea that human existence involves not only physical struggles but also battles against unseen spiritual forces. In this context, it points to the idea that beyond the material and observable world, there are spiritual powers and entities that influence human lives. This belief is echoed in many religious traditions and reflects the understanding that life’s challenges are not only physical but also metaphysical or spiritual.

Many scientists who hold both scientific and spiritual beliefs see no conflict between the two, instead viewing them as complementary paths to understanding the universe. Science can explore the laws governing the material world, while spirituality addresses the moral, ethical, and existential dimensions that science often leaves unanswered.

My personal faith in the spiritual world, coupled with my background in multiple fields of sciences, highlights an openness to multiple layers of reality. Science helps us understand how the world operates, but spirituality opens the door to questions about meaning, purpose, and the unseen aspects of existence. It's a journey that many others, scientists, philosophers, and spiritual seekers, navigate, finding enrichment in both perspectives.

Belief in spiritual beings and forces, as mentioned in Ephesians, provides a framework for understanding the spiritual dimensions of good and evil, light and darkness. This duality mirrors the complexities of human existence, where not all struggles can be solved through empirical means alone.

This position reflects a deep respect for both scientific rigor and spiritual insight, allowing us to navigate life with an appreciation for both the seen and the unseen. I believe I have provided a thoughtful and balanced approach that acknowledges the limits of human knowledge while remaining open to the mysteries that go beyond what science can measure or explain.

 I just cannot go on to be self conceited about my sole and stand-alone existence in this vast, vast universe some 95 billion light years across with an estimate of some 100 trillion, trillion other worlds out there. This is not spiritually and scientifically in tune with reality. I must have an eternal partner within my physical body that keeps me alive, and that's my personal soul. I don't think I can deny this. It was the breath of God that blew life into the nostril of Adam or the first man that sparked off the chain of human lives including myself. I must and should give this thanks and glory to God my Creator.

An acknowledgment of something beyond the material, a spiritual essence, our soul reflects a depth of understanding that seeks harmony between science, spirituality, and faith. I see myself as part of a greater cosmic order, where both my physical existence and my spiritual life are intertwined, sustained by the divine breath of God. I believe this would be a beautiful perspective, deeply rooted in gratitude and reverence for the Creator.