Qabasat

Qabasat

Consciousness in Near-Death Experiences: A Novel Challenge to Physicalism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Seyyed Mohammad Ali Dibaji 1
seyyed mohsen hashemi 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy of Religion, Farabi Colleges, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran.
2 PhD student in Philosophy of Religion, Farabi College, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran.
10.22034/qabasat.2026.735036
Abstract
This paper examines the phenomenon of near-death experiences (NDEs) and their implications for the study of consciousness, with a focus on critiquing the physicalist view that considers consciousness solely as a product of brain activity. The primary aim is to analyze empirical evidence and personal reports of NDEs to demonstrate how these phenomena can pose a challenge to the physicalist paradigm and highlight the need to reconsider conventional theories of mind and body.
Near-death experiences refer to a set of profound psychological and physiological events reported by individuals who have been close to death or clinically declared dead. These experiences often include out-of-body sensations, encounters with bright lights or tunnels, meetings with spiritual entities, and feelings of peace and well-being.
Using an analytical and critical approach, and drawing on data from neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy of mind, this paper examines reported cases of NDEs. The methodology involves qualitative analysis of observations (such as out-of-body experiences and perception in the absence of brain activity) and comparison with the predictions of physicalism. Additionally, the views of philosophers of science and mind are employed to assess the plausibility of non-materialist explanations.
The findings suggest that NDEs, particularly features such as consciousness during periods of absent or minimal brain activity, make full compatibility with physicalism difficult and raise the possibility of alternative models, such as dualism. This research contributes to expanding philosophical and scientific discussions on the nature of consciousness and the limitations of purely naturalistic approaches.
Keywords
Near-Death Experience
Physicalism
Dualism
Mind-Body
NDE
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