LAD: Near Death Experiences Mr. DeZilva March 10 th, 2014.

What is Near Death Experience? (NDE) NDE refers to the wide range of experiences people have had at a point when they nearly died NDE refers to the wide range of experiences people have had at a point when they nearly died An “out-of-body experience” or a “seeing a bright light at the end of the tunnel” experience An “out-of-body experience” or a “seeing a bright light at the end of the tunnel” experience NDE’s contain similar features (such as the above), and this typically gives credence to their factuality NDE’s contain similar features (such as the above), and this typically gives credence to their factuality Medical studies suggests that NDE is reported by between 8%-12% of patients who have been resuscitated after suffering cardiac arrest. Medical studies suggests that NDE is reported by between 8%-12% of patients who have been resuscitated after suffering cardiac arrest.

Raymond Moody ( ) Context Context A parapsychologist who coined the term “Near Death Experience” A parapsychologist who coined the term “Near Death Experience” Wrote Life After Death in 1975, in which he discussed Near Death Experiences and brought the topic to popularity Wrote Life After Death in 1975, in which he discussed Near Death Experiences and brought the topic to popularity Recorded the descriptions of patients who had claimed to have NDEs and found several common features Recorded the descriptions of patients who had claimed to have NDEs and found several common features

Moody continued Common characteristics include Common characteristics include The subjective sense of being aware of one’s own death The subjective sense of being aware of one’s own death A pleasant feeling of peace and painlessness A pleasant feeling of peace and painlessness A sense of being outside the body and being able to look down on one’s own body from above A sense of being outside the body and being able to look down on one’s own body from above A sense of going into somewhere dark and tunnel-like A sense of going into somewhere dark and tunnel-like Encountering a presence or hearing a voice Encountering a presence or hearing a voice Feeling an intense sense of being surrounded by love Feeling an intense sense of being surrounded by love Meeting people who “glow with light” Meeting people who “glow with light” Seeing one’s whole life in a flash Seeing one’s whole life in a flash

Support to NDEs Kenneth Ring ( ) Kenneth Ring ( ) American psychologist who expanded on Moody’s work American psychologist who expanded on Moody’s work Studied blind people and noted they were able to see in the NDE and during out-of-body experiences. Studied blind people and noted they were able to see in the NDE and during out-of-body experiences. NDEs were not subject to a person’s religion  The feeling of being surrounded by love was in common NDEs were not subject to a person’s religion  The feeling of being surrounded by love was in common NDEs also had a lasting effect i.e. people were no longer afraid of death, they had a new appreciation of the world, and were less concerned with material possession NDEs also had a lasting effect i.e. people were no longer afraid of death, they had a new appreciation of the world, and were less concerned with material possession Concluded that life after death is a genuine reality Concluded that life after death is a genuine reality

Support to NDEs William James (1842 – 1910) William James (1842 – 1910) Varieties of Religious Experience Varieties of Religious Experience Suggested that a religious experience could be validated by its lasting effects Suggested that a religious experience could be validated by its lasting effects Showing saintliness (for example) Showing saintliness (for example) The religious experience was validated base on if the person was made more caring and more moral The religious experience was validated base on if the person was made more caring and more moral Focused on the pragmatic ( practical) consequences of the Religious Experience Focused on the pragmatic ( practical) consequences of the Religious Experience

Challenges to NDEs 1. NEDs only happen in a small proportion of those who become clinically dead for a while 1. NEDs only happen in a small proportion of those who become clinically dead for a while 2. Sensations typical of NDEs can also be experienced by people who are not near death at all 2. Sensations typical of NDEs can also be experienced by people who are not near death at all 3. Experiments show that nothing actually leaves the body during an “out-of-body experience” 3. Experiments show that nothing actually leaves the body during an “out-of-body experience” 4. No objective basis for looking down on one’s own body 4. No objective basis for looking down on one’s own body 5. An “ought” that influences the experience 5. An “ought” that influences the experience 6. Just because it “feels real” does not make it reality 6. Just because it “feels real” does not make it reality 7. No evidence for the “After-life” even if experienced an “out- of-body” experience 7. No evidence for the “After-life” even if experienced an “out- of-body” experience