Science and the Near-Death Experience

The scientific evidence for life after death , Explains why near-death experiences (NDEs) offer evidence of an afterlife and discredits the psychological and physiological explanations for them , Challenges materialist arguments against consciousness surviving death *, Examines ancient and modern accounts of NDEs from around the world, including China, India, and many from tribal societies such as the Native American and the Maori Predating all organized religion, the belief in an afterlife is fundamental to the human experience and dates back at least to the Neanderthals. By the mid-19th century, however, spurred by the progress of science, many people began to question the existence of an afterlife, and the doctrine of materialism--which believes that consciousness is a creation of the brain--began to spread. Now, using scientific evidence, Chris Carter challenges materialist arguments against consciousness surviving death and shows how near-death experiences (NDEs) may truly provide a glimpse of an awaiting afterlife. Using evidence from scientific studies, quantum mechanics, and consciousness research, Carter reveals how consciousness does not depend on the brain and may, in fact, survive the death of our bodies. Examining ancient and modern accounts of NDEs from around the world, including China, India, and tribal societies such as the Native American and the Maori, he explains how NDEs provide evidence of consciousness surviving the death of our bodies. He looks at the many psychological and physiological explanations for NDEs raised by skeptics--such as stress, birth memories, or oxygen starvation--and clearly shows why each of them fails to truly explain the NDE. Exploring the similarities between NDEs and visions experienced during actual death and the intersection of physics and consciousness, Carter uncovers the truth about mind, matter, and life after death.

Autorentext

Chris Carter received his undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Oxford. He is the author of Science and Psychic Phenomena and Science and the Near-Death Experience. Originally from Canada, Carter currently teaches internationally.

Klappentext

The scientific evidence for life after death

• Explains why near-death experiences (NDEs) offer evidence of an afterlife and discredits the psychological and physiological explanations for them

• Challenges materialist arguments against consciousness surviving death

• Examines ancient and modern accounts of NDEs from around the world, including China, India, and many from tribal societies such as the Native American and the Maori

Predating all organized religion, the belief in an afterlife is fundamental to the human experience and dates back at least to the Neanderthals. By the mid-19th century, however, spurred by the progress of science, many people began to question the existence of an afterlife, and the doctrine of materialism--which believes that consciousness is a creation of the brain--began to spread. Now, using scientific evidence, Chris Carter challenges materialist arguments against consciousness surviving death and shows how near-death experiences (NDEs) may truly provide a glimpse of an awaiting afterlife.

Using evidence from scientific studies, quantum mechanics, and consciousness research, Carter reveals how consciousness does not depend on the brain and may, in fact, survive the death of our bodies. Examining ancient and modern accounts of NDEs from around the world, including China, India, and tribal societies such as the Native American and the Maori, he explains how NDEs provide evidence of consciousness surviving the death of our bodies. He looks at the many psychological and physiological explanations for NDEs raised by skeptics--such as stress, birth memories, or oxygen starvation--and clearly shows why each of them fails to truly explain the NDE. Exploring the similarities between NDEs and visions experienced during actual death and the intersection of physics and consciousness, Carter uncovers the truth about mind, matter, and life after death.

Inhalt

Foreword by Neal Grossman

Introduction

Part I
Does Consciousness Depend on the Brain?

1 Ancient and Modern Theories
2 Objections of Skeptics
3 Opinions from Neuroscience
4 Physics and Consciousness
5 Are Memories Stored in the Brain?
6 Theories of Life

Part II
The Near-Death Experience

7 Reports from the Brink
8 Into the Abyss: Horrific Near-Death Experiences
9 Near-Death Experiences across Cultures
10 Proposed Psychological Explanations
11 Proposed Physiological Explanations
12 Experiencing Death through Drugs?
13 The "Dying Brain" Theory of Susan Blackmore
14 Veridical Near-Death Experiences
15 Near-Death Experiences of People Who Are Blind
16 The Scientific Challenge to Materialism
17 The Near-Death Experience as Evidence for Survival

Part III
Deathbed Visions

18 Reports from England to India
19 Alternative Explanations
20 Comparison with the Near-Death Experience

Epilogue: Next

Notes

Bibliography

Index