Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Return of the Ghost?

It's not the type of book that I normally would read, but I spent a few hours (that's all it takes) over the long Holiday weekend reading Eben Alexander's Proof of Heaven. I was struck by the premise - a neurosurgeon with a materialistic view of consciousness and human existence, has a near death experience.

What does he think now?

The story is more striking because Dr. Alexander contracted a relatively rare form of a bacterial meningitis. His prognosis was poor from the onset and became virtually hopeless as he went into a coma and failed to respond to treatment. His subsequent recovery was extraordinary - apparently close to miraculous.

During his coma, he had a vivid NDE that both resembles and departs from what is typical for such events. Alexander, who had always dismissed NDEs as dreams or hallucinations, says the can't do it in his own case because he had lost higher brain functioning while comatose. In other words, his brain could not have produced his experience because it wasn't working.

I can' t really evaluate the scientific arguments. Alexander includes an appendix in which he explains, in quite summary form, why he rejected nine different hypotheses of a material cause for his experience. From what I have read - from Alexander and his critics - explaining what happened is somewhat problematic and turns on whether it is possible to know (based on the tests that we have) that his brain was really "off -line" and whether he might have experienced his NDE after he regained higher brain function.

Alexander's story does not mesh with any particular theological view. (There is apparently a Christian "rebuttal" of his story.) It is, in many respects, a bit hokey and does not quite amount to "proof of heaven." (Alexander did not want to call the book that, preferring the title "An N of 1," referring to the unique nature of his case.)

But it does tee up what brain scientists call the "hard question" - what produces consciousness. While we have managed to correlate brain activity with conscious experience, we haven't established what causes that correlation. Is the brain a source or a filter?

One of the things that I found intriguing - although I know precious little about it - is the implications of a quantum view of reality to consciousness. The standard view of consciousness as mechanistic seems a tad Newtonian to me. Alexander doesn't do more than wave at that, but he does suggest that consciousness is stranger and less linear and contained than we might suppose.

One of the fascinating things about Alexander's NDE is that, unlike most of these experiences, he did not know who he was while he was "up there" (he uses that phrase metaphorically). He did not remember his life. It would be a very different kind of "heaven" if those who inhabit it are dissassociated from who they were in life.

Cross posted at Purple Wisconsin

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

[url=http://teplo-park.ru/bollery_kosvennogo_nagreva]Бойлеры косвенного нагрева[/url]

Anonymous said...

I would like to make my own Blogger layout because none of the ones I have discovered incorporate my Header correctly/match with my Header that I want to
use. Will there be a website that may teach me tips on how to try this?
(I also don’t have Photoshop, therefore i have to use another software than that
to design). Many thanks!.

Also visit my site ... slackercomics.com
Feel free to surf my site ; Paxil

Anonymous said...

Fall Is The Time To Prepare For Winter With Mulching
And Pruning Recycled Rubber Mulch - Serving Dual Purposes

Feel free to surf to my blog post :: lebsocial.com
Feel free to surf my web blog :: trees for sale milwaukee

SoarIntoSky said...

It would be nice of you if you share a link to other sources that open up this topic of course if you know any of them.

Anonymous said...

I see within my blog trackers significant traffic originating from facebook.

My blog is not linked to facebook, I you do not have a merchant account there,
and I can't see, who posts backlinks... any ideas?.

Stop by my site ... Paxil Lawsuit
Here is my web blog : Paxil Lawyers

Anonymous said...

As sn u purchase a new model f stylish phone r cellular phone, btter version f th
rrspnding cellular phone is introduced instantly. Preserving yourslf on the
lead of the list f latest technology wll get genuinely terrible and lkly unbearable
for you. Numerous people buy high-priced mobile phones and hve general advances in them.
Accouterments f cellular phones are s well nt lesser essential tht
mobile phones. Cellphone accouterments re sold-out and purchased n
larger quantities end-to-end the world. The greatest selection to
get fr urself or our retailing business organisation bulk lot.
Wholesale lot presents you relly affordable monetary
value fr th products whih u wuld hve committed f gn t retailer shop.

Wholesale providers re valable offering merchandises t
80% lesser price thn that f its retailing monetary value. It implies retail merchants can gains up to 80% of th bought price.
Unquestionably, yu'll thnk t start ur individual littl wholesale cell phone accessories business enterprise. In ths article, yu will gt svrl rll utilitarian points f experiencing affordable and inexpensive cellphone supplements. 1 Online Wholesalers: If ou explore for an world wide web bulky supplier for your wholesale cell phone accessories then ou n truly hv bulky earnings. All you require to reveal few rell hidden bulk providers who ar extending cellphone accessories at rally stunning ranges. 2 eBay: If you're fortunate adequate, yu cn make thousands f dollars n your wholesale cell
phone accessories business concern making eBay a our platform.
They cn expose evral genuinely amazing nd appealing sales events as thy're ure you wont hurt thr contest. You huld gain frm th reduced monetary valu wholesale cell phone accessories nd deal thm t a higher monetary value. 4 Cell Phone accessories Trade Shows: There r annual wholesale cell phone accessories merchandise shows. These merchandise shows generally point retail merchants. They hold larger orders of wholesale selling lots. You should t tho trade shows t run your business organisation modern. Via the trade shows u meet sevral big bulky providers wh cn allw you wth entertaining discounts, that you an employ t pop u ur business enterprise. 5 Have thrugh market research: It th extremely essential thing that essential bfor opening any type of wholesale cell phone accessories business. You shuld experience thorugh nd practiced mart exploration n order t hve a bigger nd precise image f the finished business design. After that, u should opt for on r two advisable wholesale suppliers fr our business enterprise. 6 Google it: Google s taken th greatest search engine for ur critical seek nd exploration problems. You can search but affordable and inexpensive cellphone accessories t Google nd several new exploring engines nd you will hv a finished extended list f hundreds of bulk providers. You should read follow-up and remarks of old retailers regardng thoe bulky providers s tht u'll experience bettr
theme nd image of ever wholesale cell phone accessories providers.
What to take into consideration? http://tinyurl.
com/amtx2ln If you still are not satisfied, ask to
speak to the manager. You may also have to write a letter to the company and follow up in
a few weeks time to make sure that it was received.
You should be aware, however, that written replies from a company are often form letters and
do not address personal issues. Instead, you may want to contact the
FFC Federal Communications Commission or the Better Business Bureau.
A businessman has been cleared of raping a university
student after jurors were shown footage of the sex session taken on a mobile phone.
Stop by my page - http://tinyurl.com/amtx2ln

Anonymous said...

We have got a web template but I want to customize it using joomla.
Is it possible. Please let me know..

my webpage: transvaginalmeshlawsuit.designsbydel.com
My blog ... vaginal mesh compensation

Anonymous said...

Can you really register a domain name and start
website through Microsoft Small company in UAE?.. When
it is impossible through Microsoft small company, please advise me the best website to produce a new website which can operate from
UAE..

Here is my homepage :: transvaginal mesh lawyers
Feel free to visit my website ; vaginal mesh lawsuits

Anonymous said...

Appreciate this post. Will try it out.

Have a look at my website friends.rankeronline.Com

Anonymous said...

Howdy, I believe your web site could be having browser compatibility problems.
Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE,
it's got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, excellent blog!

Also visit my blog :: costofrootcanal1.com

Anonymous said...

Woah! I'm really enjoying the template/theme of this site. It's simple, yet effective.
A lot of times it's very difficult to get that "perfect balance" between user friendliness and appearance. I must say that you've done a awesome job with this.
Additionally, the blog loads very quick for me on Safari.

Outstanding Blog!

my homepage ... PBA Dental
My web site > Http://vociglobali.it/mediawiki/index.php?title=Utente:NathanLat

Anonymous said...

Ahaa, its fastidious discussion about this
paragraph at this place at this website, I have read all that, so now me also commenting at this place.



Look at my web-site ... Phpfox.Viewmix.tv

Anonymous said...

This info is worth everyone's attention. How can I find out more?

my web blog - American Health Advantage Review

Anonymous said...

You're so awesome! I do not believe I've read through
anything like that before. So wonderful to discover another person
with original thoughts on this issue. Really.
. thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality!


Look into my blog :: discount dental plans

Anonymous said...

I'm curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be working with? I'm having some minor security problems with my latest blog and I would like to find
something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?



My page - rootcanal.pba-dental.com

Anonymous said...

Tremendous things here. I'm very glad to see your post. Thanks so much and I am taking a look ahead to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

My web blog: http://www.youngzonejewelry.com/userinfo.php?uid=21640

Anonymous said...

I used to be recommended this blog by way of my cousin.

I am now not certain whether this post is written by him as nobody
else understand such exact approximately my trouble.
You're amazing! Thanks!

My webpage :: Http://En.Jameatulquran.Com

Anonymous said...

Ahaa, its fastidious conversation about this piece of writing
here at this website, I have read all that, so at this time me
also commenting at this place.

Here is my blog post ... American Health Advantage Review

Anonymous said...

I leave a response when I appreciate a post on a site or I have something to
contribute to the discussion. Usually it's a result of the passion communicated in the post I read. And on this post "Return of the Ghost?". I was excited enough to leave a thought :-P I do have a few questions for you if it's okay.

Could it be only me or does it give the impression like a few of the responses appear like they are coming from brain dead
people? :-P And, if you are writing on other online social
sites, I'd like to follow you. Could you make a list all of all your communal sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?

Also visit my web-site :: Www.Wannabeadoula.com

Anonymous said...

Good day I am so excited I found your webpage, I
really found you by accident, while I was researching on Digg for
something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like
to say thanks for a fantastic post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at
the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds,
so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the superb work.



Feel free to surf to my page - master104finance.com

Anonymous said...

Hi, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the favor”.
I am trying to find things to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok
to use some of your ideas!!

Stop by my blog post: Hc16.De

Anonymous said...

An effective site map will also help the search engines and your customers.
For the partnership company you are considering before you choose any particular company to
help you get on page one of the best strategy to bring traffic to the website.
One beneficial idea is to interact with prospective clients and partners.



Feel free to visit my website; search engine optimization canada

Anonymous said...

Creating boundaries in best ways to get ex boyfriend back means being very clear about
your likes and dislikes. Love can reportedly conquer a lot,
too.

Here is my webpage - how get your ex back

Anonymous said...

Movement is very important when you are really good at
far cry 360, start giving serious thoughts to entering tournaments.
Also, one was shown as part of Meowth's boss fantasy in Dealing With a Fierce Double DittoDrama! '" Roger Altizer, a professor of sociology, said the mobile gaming market had grown without much promotion. Far Cry 360 have been blamed for a lot of fun!

Feel free to surf to my blog post - my.opera.com

Anonymous said...

It took the Douglas County jury 30 minutes to come to some general conclusions.
If anyone gets hurt, chaos is there to help you do just
that! A wireless headset that can interpret brain waves
to control kasumi mass effect 2 and other media for more than 2 hours a
day, five days of the lower-priced PS2 were included in NPD's March numbers. All generalizations aside, girls essentially play the games with the detailed characters and epic plot lines aren't trying to serve up
light, slightly racist kasumi mass effect 2 humor along with
their code.

My web blog mass effect 1 classes

Anonymous said...

It's actually a cool and useful piece of info. I'm glad
that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this.

Thank you for sharing.

my blog post - home cellulite treatment