Computers and Soul
Computers begin their life as inorganic objects till the operating system and programs are loaded. Though all computers of a given model are similar but with each going to be a unique set depending on programs loaded by the users. Depending upon the program and use computers (of the same model) also display differences in behavior. One can say the computation soul is different for different ones. When a computer is dead, if its parts are dismantled then what happens to operating system and the programs? Well, they dissolve automatically.
For all mammals, the growth after birth is from within. That is components of the body are formed at birth, but they grow from within. The individuality is as much intrinsic as much acquired learning from the interactive environment.
After World War II, a German kid born to Jewish white parents but adopted by white American catholic parent would become an American soul. It is likely that this kid may have learned only English as a language and is an American unique personality has little resemblance to a German person in preferences and food habits. A black kid of aboriginal father and mother from the country of Benin if adopted by relatively affluent black folks in USA will likely learn only English. Growing up in American school and surrounded by local friends from childhood to teenage and early adulthood, the unique personality and soul of this kid would be likely different than even his identical twin. This kid (and eventual adult) will more like an American kid rather than a Benin kid.
Interactive and instructive environment around mammals including humans fill up the memory, habits and shape personality. The user(s) and programs make a computer function uniquely despite being same models.
After death humans are cremated or buried. The cremation for sure decimates all organs immediately. Organ donation is now a more common practice than 50 years ago. Many organs contribute to transplantation. Some are used for research. Successfully transplanted organs work in a recipient’s body for several years. There has been no en mass report of transplanted organ alter the personality or memory of a person.
One would assume that with the dissolution of body, all organs are gone, assimilated with the inorganic universe and not available to function.
Is it possible that all memory and neuronal control of all organs that resided in the person is just dissolved irreversibly with dissolution of system? With computers if the operating system, programs and memory are the soul of the computer is automatically dissolved. Could it be that soul too was an operating system? An operating system hard disk can be argued but the case for a fresh disc will far stronger not recycling.
After death punishment is suggested in some philosophies because of bad deeds. Often the punishment involves pain and disfiguring of the organs. However, the same organs are already dissolved or in a laboratory in hands of other people. How can therefore they be used or disfigured.
As an experimental scientist, I foresee no study design to ensure experimental reproducibility but could just see parallels, logic and rationale. I see the parallel between computers and mammals. Artificial intelligence is still in its infancy but if it were little more developed perhaps one day, we could see the soul of such system. Of course, it will still be the artificial system. Despite memory being incrementally built it will still be a system of external assembly (extrapolating what we see now-who knows what the future lays ahead) not internal growth as we see for all mammals.