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Three ancient reports of near-death experiences: Bremmer revisited.

M. V. D. Sluijs

Journal of Near-Death Studies 2009 DOI: 10.17514/jnds-2009-27-4-p223-253. (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics Near-death experience
Key points Argues that Plato's vision of Er and Plutarch's vision of Thespesius are authentic ancient near-death experiences, contrary to Bremmer's skepticism, and that the vision of Er is the oldest known direct account of an NDE. Proposes that Plutarch's vision of Timarchus represents an ancient NDE caused by extreme isolation.

Abstract

Abstract: In the modern literature, the so-called 'vision of Er,' told by Plato, and the 'vision of Thespesius,' recorded by Plutarch, have sometimes been cited as examples of ancient near-death experiences (NDEs). However, in a recent study, classicist Jan Bremmer (2002) impugned this interpretation. In this article, I offer a fresh analysis of these two texts that challenges Bremmer's stance and that vindicates the similarity between the ancient reports and modern NDEs. The vision of Er emerges as the oldest known direct account of an NDE. I add to these cases Plutarch's description of the 'vision of Timarchus' as an example of an ancient NDE provoked by extreme isolation. Comparison of these reports of NDEs from antiquity with modern analogues suggests a few additional characteristic traits of NDEs.

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

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