Question

. What does Churchland conclude from her analysis of the various types of evidence offered for life after death?

Answer 1

Churchland clearly doubts that those reporting near-death experiences were, in fact, completely brain dead, as it is commonly held. Increased sophistication in brain imaging techniques indicate that subtle neural activity may be still be operative during these states. Using examples of patients credibly declared to be brain dead, she asserts that none of them have ever experienced near death experiences involving mystical experiences. Therefore she concludes that individuals who claim to have had these experiences were not, infact, brain dead.