What did Duncan MacDougall assert about the weight of corpses after death?

Duncan MacDougall conducted experiments in the early 20th century to explore the relationship between the soul and the physical body. He is best known for his claim that human corpses lose a specific amount of weight at the moment of death, which he quantified to be approximately 21 grams. MacDougall theorized that this weight loss correlates to the departure of the soul from the body. His experiments involved weighing patients before and after death, leading him to propose this now-famous figure.

This assertion remains a topic of discussion in both scientific and philosophical circles, as it intersects with ideas about consciousness and the nature of human existence. While MacDougall's methods and conclusions have faced criticism and skepticism, the idea of the 21 grams has permeated popular culture, often symbolizing the weight of the soul. Thus, recognizing that corpses supposedly lose this specific amount of weight after death reflects MacDougall's enduring, if controversial, legacy in the study of anthropology and the undead.