Though he'd never been religious, he realized now that he'd always believed in the soul, in a force of personality that survived death. But as his mind continued to waver, to short-circuit, he finally arrived at the cold-eyed conclusion, so at odds with his youthful cheerfulness, that the brain was just an organ like any other and that when it failed he would be no more.
The character reflects on his beliefs regarding spirituality and the essence of life. Despite not being brought up in a religious environment, he has always held a belief in the existence of a soul, or a distinct force that allows personality to transcend death. This notion brings comfort until his mental state begins to deteriorate, leading him to question his long-held views.
As he grapples with his declining cognition, he comes to a stark realization that contradicts his previously optimistic outlook. He concludes that the brain is merely an organ, and when it ceases to function, so does his identity, highlighting a profound sense of loss and the inevitability of mortality.
