What is it like to be Out-of-Body? Phenomenal accounts of experiencers
Qeios November 25, 2022 DOI: 10.32388/wq4gja.2 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThis paper examines first-person accounts of out-of-body experiences (OBEs), drawing on phenomenological reports to characterize the subjective quality of such states. The authors analyze common features described by experiencers, including sensations of floating, observing one's own body from an external vantage point, and altered perceptions of space and self. They argue that OBE phenomenology challenges standard assumptions about the unity of self and body, proposing that these experiences reveal a fundamental plasticity in the sense of embodied selfhood. The work synthesizes historical and contemporary narratives to map the core phenomenal structures of OBEs without endorsing any particular metaphysical interpretation.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that out-of-body experiences exhibit a consistent phenomenal structure involving disembodied self-location and altered spatial perspective, which suggests the sense of self is more malleable than typically assumed. |
Abstract
What is it like to be Out-of-Body? Phenomenal accounts of experiencers