Arguments for the Existence of the Soul - Free Will and Near-Death Experiences

Explore a thought-provoking lecture from Yale University's Death (PHIL 176) course that delves into arguments for the existence of the soul, focusing on free will and near-death experiences. Examine the three-premise argument for free will as proof of an immaterial soul, and understand why this argument may not be entirely convincing. Investigate near-death experiences and their implications for the existence of a soul. Dive into the Cartesian argument, exploring Descartes's perspective on the distinction between mind and body. Throughout the 48-minute lecture, engage with complex philosophical concepts such as determinism, incompatibility, and the relationship between physical and supernatural phenomena. Gain insights into the ongoing debate surrounding the existence of the soul and its connection to human consciousness and free will.

- Chapter 1. The Dualist's Stance on Free Will and the Soul's Existence .
- Chapter 2. Determinism and Free Will Cannot Coexist -- Inspecting Incompatibility .
- Chapter 3. Positing the Soul's Existence for Near-Death Experiences .
- Chapter 4. Does a Physical Understanding of Supernatural Phenomena Exist? .
- Chapter 5. Introduction to Descartes's Cartesian Argument: The Mind and the Body Are Not the Same .
- Chapter 6. Conclusion.