The Near-Death Experience : A Reader
June 17, 2013 DOI: 10.4324/9781315022178 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Anthology |
|---|---|
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Key points | Argues that near-death experiences are best understood through a multidisciplinary lens, with psychological, biological, philosophical, and religious interpretations each offering partial insights. The collection presents NDEs as meaningful archetypal phenomena, potentially explained by brain chemistry and cultural frameworks, while also acknowledging religious and spiritual significance. |
Abstract
The Near Death Experience: A Reader is the most comprehensive collection of NDE cases and interpretations ever assembled. This book encompasses a broad range of disciplines: psychological researchers discuss cognitive models and Jungian theories of meaningful archetypal phenomena; the biological perspectivedescribes how brains near death may produce soothing endorphins, optical illusions, and convincing hallucinations. Philosophers present empirical analyses and images in archetypal theories, and the symbolic language of comparative phenomenological theories. Christian, Jewish and Mormon responses to NDEs outline the religious perspective, and the mystical and spiritual interpretations of NDEs are also explored.