Dr Eben Alexander's new book

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(2017-09-17, 06:52 PM)jkmac Wrote: snip- it may come out that he exaggerated or even falsified aspects of his experience.

What is this supposed to mean?

It "may come out" that I am from Alpha Centuri too. However I would suggest that people not make important decisions based on this possibility.

I think it would be better if you put a little more meat on those bones to substantiate your comment. Obviously those instances bother you. What are they?

You don't think it's a bit expected that a guy who had honesty problems on his past surgical work would lead to suspicion about his NDE?

I've noted the Esquire piece itself is a hit piece, but I think it's fair doubts remain. Similarly when a medium commits fraud I think it's hard to follow Braude that the instances where fraud isn't detected should be accepted.
'Historically, we may regard materialism as a system of dogma set up to combat orthodox dogma...Accordingly we find that, as ancient orthodoxies disintegrate, materialism more and more gives way to scepticism.'

- Bertrand Russell


(This post was last modified: 2017-09-17, 07:02 PM by Sciborg_S_Patel.)
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(2017-09-17, 06:52 PM)jkmac Wrote: snip- it may come out that he exaggerated or even falsified aspects of his experience.

What is this supposed to mean?

It "may come out" that I am from Alpha Centuri too. However I would suggest that people not make important decisions based on this possibility.

I think it would be better if you put a little more meat on those bones to substantiate your comment. Obviously those instances bother you. What are they?


Hm. I agree. I didn't find the Eben Alexander experience at all pursuasive (I only read the summary and that didn't entice me to read the book). I can't see why anyone would say it was false or exaggerated though.
(2017-09-17, 07:43 PM)Obiwan Wrote: Hm. I agree. I didn't find the Eben Alexander experience at all pursuasive (I only read the summary and that didn't entice me to read the book). I can't see why anyone would say it was false or exaggerated though.

I said it might turn out that way. 

I can make a separate thread about why Alexander shouldn't be the face of the NDE proponent movement if people want, I don't want to ruin discussion of the new book which others who read it probably want to talk about.
'Historically, we may regard materialism as a system of dogma set up to combat orthodox dogma...Accordingly we find that, as ancient orthodoxies disintegrate, materialism more and more gives way to scepticism.'

- Bertrand Russell


(2017-09-17, 06:59 PM)Sciborg_S_Patel Wrote: You don't think it's a bit expected that a guy who had honesty problems on his past surgical work would lead to suspicion about his NDE?

I've noted the Esquire piece itself is a hit piece, but I think it's fair doubts remain. Similarly when a medium commits fraud I think it's hard to follow Braude that the instances where fraud isn't detected should be accepted.

Smithy dealt with all this in Rivas and Smit's book, Sci. Alexander carried out over 4000 surgeries. Mistakes in neurosurgery are not at all uncommon. The patient had excellent relief which is the reason  Alexander did not initially recognise his mistake but he corrected it later and informed all parties. He continued his surgical career with no restrictions. Where is the fraud ?
(This post was last modified: 2017-09-17, 08:05 PM by tim.)
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(2017-09-17, 08:00 PM)Sciborg_S_Patel Wrote: I said it might turn out that way. 

I can make a separate thread about why Alexander shouldn't be the face of the NDE proponent movement if people want, I don't want to ruin discussion of the new book which others who read it probably want to talk about.


I think the issue was you didn't explain why you though it "might turn out that way".
Well, there is no denying that it's incredibly odd... Even for an NDE. If you described it to me without explaining the circumstances, chances are that I would conclude that you were describing an acid trip. I think that there are better cases...
"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before..."
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(2017-09-17, 10:43 PM)E. Flowers Wrote: Well, there is no denying that it's incredibly odd... Even for an NDE. If you described it to me without explaining the circumstances, chances are that I would conclude that you were describing an acid trip. I think that there are better cases...

So you were simply musing, not implying there is any factual basis for  falsification or gilding of the experience?
(2017-09-17, 11:07 PM)Obiwan Wrote: So you were simply musing, not implying there is any factual basis for  falsification or gilding of the experience?

I was implying that perhaps, Eben himself is not sure what kind of experience he had. Personally, I find it closer to a psychedelic trip, and it may have been something of the sort, reduced brain activity (as seen in LSD studies) but not as impaired as in CA.
"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before..."
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That's not really the same as falsification or gilding it is it? You're original comment seemed to me to be implying dishonesty in some way. If i misinterpreted it, fine, but if I didn't I still don't see where you see evidence for dishonesty.
(This post was last modified: 2017-09-18, 11:06 AM by Obiwan.)

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