Dualistic Interpretation of "Near-Death Experiences” in the Crucible of Thought Experiments
Mohsen Izadi, Seyyed Mahdiiar Hosseini
تاریخ فلسفه اسلامی February 18, 2026 DOI: 10.22034/hpi.2025.501146.1132 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Keywords | Soul Dualism Strong artificial intelligence Thought experiment |
| Key points | Argues that a thought experiment combining SAI and IoT into AIoT could challenge dualistic interpretations of near-death experiences by potentially reconstructing NDE-like experiences without a soul. |
Abstract
Dualistic interpretations of near-death experiences (NDEs) are based on evidence such as experiencing distant places, gaining awareness of the past, present, and future, and seeing beyond physical objects. From this perspective, these experiences are not possible without the existence of a soul and a metaphysical dimension. This approach considers reductionist and physicalist interpretations incapable of explaining these events. This article designs a thought experiment-type argument to examine a view that claims that by combining two technologies: strong artificial intelligence (SAI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) and achieving artificial intelligence of things (AIoT), it is possible to reconstruct and experience the claims of near-death experiencers without the need for a soul, or even create those experiences without the presence of near-death states by connecting to the brains of individuals. Although the authors reject physicalist interpretations of near-death experiences, they believe that this claim can be a challenge to dualistic interpretations of near-death experiences.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on near-death experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otherworld Journeys: Accounts of Near-Death Experience in Medieval and Modern Times | 1987 | Historical analysis | |
| Neuroscience and the Near-Death Experience: Roles for the NMSA-PCP receptor, the sigma receptor and the endopsychosins | 1990 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Implications of near-death experiences for a postmaterialist psychology. | 2010 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Near-Death Experience as a Probe to Explore (Disconnected) Consciousness | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Near-death experiences between science and prejudice | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |