Waubonsee Community College

Near-death experiences, understanding visions of the afterlife, John Martin Fischer and Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 181-185) and index

index present

non fiction

Near-death experiences

bibliography

921864573

John Martin Fischer and Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin

understanding visions of the afterlife

PHILOSOPHY OF MIND. Near-death experiences offer a glimpse not only into the nature of death but also into the meaning of life. They are not only useful tools to aid in the human quest to understand death but are also deeply meaningful, transformative experiences for the people who have them. In a unique contribution to the growing and popular literature on the subject, philosophers John Martin Fischer and Benjamin Mitchell-Yellin examine prominent near-death experiences, such as those of Pam Reynolds, Eben Alexander and Colton Burpo. They combine their investigations with critiques of the narratives' analysis by those who take them to show that our minds are immaterial and heaven is for real. In contrast, the authors provide a blueprint for a science-based explanation

Introduction -- Two famous near-death experiences -- When exactly do near-death experiences take place? -- Must near-death experiences be explained by the supernatural? -- Are vivid experiences more accurate because they are vivid? -- Near-death experiences in the blind -- Near-death experiences in children and throughout the world -- Can near-death experiences be explained by a single factor? -- Are simpler explanations more likely to be true? -- Near-death experiences, transformation, and the afterlife -- A strategy for explaining near-death experiences -- Confirmation bias : we believe what we want to believe -- Awe, wonder, and hope