Theos-Talk Archives (January 2002 Message tt00234)

Monday, January 14, 2002

A question arose: Do Character & Heredity validate Reincarnation
?


An answer was given:

The persistency of individual character and attitude of mind
seems a strong argument; and adduces the fact that when he was a
youth thirty years ago he wrote a letter to himself upon
questions about God, nature, and the inner man, and finds now
upon rereading it that it almost exactly expresses his present
attitude.

Also he thinks that the inner character of each shows itself in
early youth, persisting through life; and as each character is
different there must have been reincarnation to account for the
differences. And that the assertion that differences in character
are due to heredity seems to be disposed of by the persistency of
essential character, even if, as we know to be the case,
scientists did not begin to deny the sufficiency of heredity to
account for our differences.

If heredity would account for that which, existing in our life,
makes us feel that we have lived here before, then the breeding
of dogs and horses would show similar great differences as are
observed in men. But a high-bred dog will bring forth a litter of
pups by a father of equal breed, all exhibiting one character,
whereas in the very highest bred of families among men it is well
known that the children will differ from each other so much that
we cannot rely upon the result.

Then again, considering the objections raised on ground of
heredity, it should not be forgotten that but small attention has
been paid to those cases where heredity will not give the
explanation.

Inherent differences of character. The great differences in
capacity seem to call for reincarnation as the explanation.
Notice that the savages have the same brains and bodies as ours,
yet not the same character or intelligence; they seem to be
unprogressed egos who are unable to make the machine of brain to
respond to its highest limit.