Reconciling materialism and dualism (Endings)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Thursday, March 08, 2018, 19:11 (2450 days ago) @ dhw

It seems to me that some of this is putting the cart before the horse. We can, in a way, define whether something is alive or dead. We recognize the quality, yet defining it is rather difficult. What is the moment of death? The last heartbeat? The last brainwave or the final firing of a synapse? Perhaps it is the point where we can no longer be brought back. At any rate, defining this critical moment in a way that is universally accurate has to be the first step before speaking of nde's and immortal souls.

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.