points for discussion about life after death

Question 1

what are experiences of NDE

Answer 1

1. a presence of bright white light, commonly at the end of a tunnel
2. removal from the body and acknowledgement of being dead
3. a sense of overwhelming love
4. seeing or encountering loved ones who are dead
5. a sense of peace

Question 2

what are platos and aristotles viewpoint

Answer 2

for plato, the psyche (soul) is immortal and belongs to the world of forms while the body is part of the world of change and mortal. this is duality as they are different entities made of different substances.

for Aristotle, the presence of a soul makes the difference between a dead body and a living body.

Question 3

define a near death experience

Answer 3

the experience of a large number of individuals death or come very close to dying. they claim to have experienced something beyond the grave and testify to this fact

Question 4

what did Kenneth ring find out about nde

Answer 4

Kenneth ring, American psychology professor and among the founders of the international association near death studies dound that there us a general pattern of five contiuums among the experiences of those who have NDE. these are:

1. the feeling of peace
2. the feeling of separation from the body
3. the feeling of entering darkness
4. the seeing of a light
5. entering the light

Question 5

what are weaknesses of NDE

Answer 5

barry beyerstein argues that life after death is a flawed reading of psychology
james alcock criticises moody stating the ‘ he appears to ignore a great deal of scientific literature dealing with hallucinating experiences in general’
the evidence is entirely anecdotal
physical causes could be the reason eg a lowering of oxygen in the brain can cause hallucinations

Question 6

define dualism

Answer 6

the dualist view holds that human beings as an entity are a combination of two different aspects- that mind and body separate facets of humanity

Question 7

define substance dualism

Answer 7

the substance dualist view holds that human beings as an entity are made up of a combination of two substances, suggesting that mind and body are two different substances

Question 8

define monism

Answer 8

the monist view holds that human beings as an entity are not made up of two different aspects, but rather one

Question 9

define materialism

Answer 9

the materialist view holds that human beings as an entity are made up of one susbatnce which is the same regardless of whether or not one is discussing the mind and body