Week 1 - Michelle Nguyen

For good reason, scientists regard the spirit realm and near death experiences hesitantly as these phenomena cannot be proven. Only theories can be made. Nevertheless, parapsychologists continue to apply math and physics to prove the validity of their theories. While I appreciate efforts to create valid experiments, it is difficult to overlook the complexity of the phenomena and the sheer number of unknowns. First, many cases feel improperly analyzed as not all cases are thoroughly described. For example, how can we confirm what the patients are experiencing. In the quantum physics article, they describe a blind woman being able to see while her mind was out of her body despite never having had sight her entire life. The paper explains that she was unable to name colors that she has never seen, however if she has never seen in her life, how can we be sure she saw images? I do not doubt the truth in these stories; however, from a scientific standpoint, lack in detail and proof makes me feel skeptical that the paper is stretching the truth. My big question is how scientists are collecting data when their parameters hold no numerical value. Theories are made entirely from observations; thus, how can they expect the scientific community to readily accept it? Through clarity and economic writing, most things can be made to seem logical. Even so, testing the phenomena of NDEs challenges ethics and our understanding of comas and inducing them is limited. Thus, creating valid, reproducible experiments is near impossible. I envision potential studies involving reproducing identical, unique actions in various parts of the room of coma patients who experienced NDEs; however, if the patients never comment on it, how would we know if they didn’t comment because they didn’t find it noteworthy or they didn’t sense it? We also cannot ask them if they noticed due to hindsight bias and there is no way to alert patients from the beginning of our plans. Lastly, it is impossible for us to truly differentiate between a patient who experienced an NDE or not while they were in a coma. While I think it’s very difficult if not impossible to prove these theories, using math and physics to explain these strange events does make them relatable. Being able to relate holds greater importance in the possibility of empathizing with and supporting those who have undergone NDEs.


References:
Arindam Kumar Paul, Liton Devnath, and Md. Rafiqul Islam. An Approach to Prove the Existence of After Life by Analyzing Near Death Experience’s Data with Mathematical Logic.” 2016. Academic Research International. Vol 7(4)

Contzen Pereira & J Shashi Kiran Reddy. “Near Death Cases Desegregating Non-Locality/Disembodiment via Quantum Mediated Consciousness: An Extended Version of the Cell-Soul Pathway.” 2016. Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research. Vol 7(11)

Media:
http://groundreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/coma.jpg