[Guest editorial].Avoiding the Columbus confusion: An Ockhamish view of near-death research.
The Journal of near-death studies 1992 DOI: 10.17514/jnds-1992-11-2-p75-81 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that framing near-death experiences as evidence of an afterlife may prevent recognition of their more profound nature. The author contends that belief in an afterlife has not historically produced a high quality of life, while NDEs seem reliably to do so, and may hold clues about why the expanded vitality and "eternity-consciousness" of mystics is commonly blocked. |
Abstract
Article exploring the theory that contemporary belief that near-death experiences (NDEs) are glimpses of an afterlife may prevent us from realizing their more profound nature. Belief in an afterlife has not historically brought humanity a high quality of life, but NDEs seem reliably to do so, and may offer important clues about why the expanded vitality, the "eternity-consciousness," of the mystics is commonly blocked.