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ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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The Physical Essence of the Human Soul

Authors: Xie, Owen;

The Physical Essence of the Human Soul

Abstract

This paper proposes a theoretical framework for understanding the physical basis of human consciousness through the lens of self-organized electrical activity in the brain. Drawing on neuroscience, thermodynamics, and complex systems theory, I argue that higher-order cognitive functions—such as memory, emotion, learning, and subjective awareness—do not reside in isolated neurons or discrete brain regions. Instead, they emerge from large-scale, self-sustaining patterns of organized electrical current circulating through neuronal networks. Inspired by Prigogine’s theory of dissipative structures, the brain is conceptualized as an open system in which continuous metabolic energy enables spontaneous formation of stable yet dynamic electrical organizations. I hypothesize that this self-organized electrical structure constitutes the physical substrate of the human “soul,” understood here not in a metaphysical sense but as the unique, persistent, and irreducible pattern underlying individual consciousness. This perspective further suggests that artificial replication of consciousness would require transferring—not merely copying—the specific organizational properties of these electrical patterns. The framework aims to motivate new discussions on consciousness markers, neural integration, and the physical nature of subjective experience.

Keywords

electrical activity, dissipative structures, theoretical neuroscience, consciousness, mind-body problem, complex systems, self-organization, neural circuits, emergent phenomena

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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