Near-death experiences and the mind-body relationship: A systems-theoretical perspective.
The Journal of near-death studies 2011 DOI: 10.17514/jnds-2011-29-3-p399-435. (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 | Dualism Mind–body problem Perspective graphical Psychic Epistemology Property philosophy Naturalism Object grammar Cognitive science Empirical evidence Cognitive psychology Artificial intelligence Jungian analytical psychology |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key points | Argues that near-death experience evidence supports a naturalistic form of mind-body substance dualism when analyzed through a systems-theoretical perspective. |
Abstract
In this paper I support the view that NDEs provide empirical support for mind-body substance dualism and argue that a systems-theoretical analysis of the evidence is required to obtain valid insights into the nature of the mind as a substantial object existing in addition to the body. Without such an approach, systems phenomena such as property emergence and property masking could lead to mischaracterization of both the nature of the mind itself and the ways in which the mind and body work together holistically. Applying a systems-theoretical perspective, I show that some psychic abilities are emergent capacities of the mind-body system, that ordinary faculties such as emotional perceptiveness can be understood within the same framework as extraordinary faculties such as telepathy, and that NDE evidence favors a naturalistic form of Substance Dualism.