Altered States - Scientists Analyze the Near-Death Experience

University of Virginia Magazine ^ | Summer 2007 | Lee Graves

[MirrorField]

Well, In my (admittedly layman's) opinion, there is nothing supernatural at work: Psychological shock from close brush with death, hallucinations resulting from oxygen-starved and malfunctioning brain and possible lasting brain damage forcing brain to rewire itself. No need to resort to any supernatural explanations.

There is quite a difference between Clinical Death and Information-theoretic Death.

[Dustbunny]

LOL..... he died during a routine gall bladder operation. Gives me goose bumps when it is told.

[HangnJudge]

Nice theory, but what is the force projecting phenomenon?

I view our existence in this Universe as the analogy of a Computer and Computer program. I our case, the Computer is an electrochemical engine, incredibly complex, but bounded by physics. There is within us a Computer Program, that is another thing entirely.

Kant in his work "A Critique of Pure Reason states that Reason cannot be explained by reason (circular logic) a thing cannot explain itself, and it's existence must be accepted "A Priori" before all other statements can be made. Reason within us would then be accepted as "Useful" and "Present", but cannot, by principle be explained using the very lens in which we view the Universe, Reason, or by extension that huge edifice of Reason, the immensely useful construct of Science.

I view the presence of Reason within this electrochemical engine to be an example of Miracle, an embeded example of a thing that "projects" from "something" external to this Universe. Our manifestation on this Earth is both, if the Computer fails, our manifestation is corrupted, and various disorders of Mind occur, but that does not mean that the program has failed.

I view the NDE’s as an awareness of something different, that is “not” a Physics engine. That perhaps is a superset to our Universe, or external referent. That external referent would not necessarily be bound to the known laws of this Universe in which all interactions occur due to an exchange of a particle, such as a photon.

The embedded miracle of mind, as is within us, perhaps can interact with this “superset” to the Universe, while the electrochemical engine, Brain, may not

Admittedly this is a “fuzzy” concept. Like all things of this type, they can only be described using Analogy and Symbols, I believe because language binds our awareness.

This analogy fails completely if, as many believe, the Universe "Physics Engine" is the "Only Thing".

[little jeremiah]

Computer has not been cooperating lately, finally is tonight but now I’ve done enough pingifying. Will read/ping tomorrow!

[Running On Empty]

Marking

[HiTech RedNeck]

Scientists can’t even explain the “life experience” let alone “near death.” How is it that a gallon of meat can pack in and integrate and recall and replay the experiences of 80 years and more, with television-like precision?

[Museum Twenty]

Bump

[G8 Diplomat]

Scientists Analyze the Near-Death Experience

I do that every day. I go to public school.