Reincarnation as a Complement to the Flawed DNA-Based Model of Life: Potential Contributions to Our Disposition towards Family and Religion/Spirituality

Christopher, Ted

doi:10.4236/ojpp.2022.123026

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Previous work by the author has suggested that the traditional reincarnation model appears to be a good starting point to explain some mysteries including the general missing heritability (Christopher, 2017a;Christopher, 2017b). Additional work in this journal considered some evolutionary phenomena and their possible transcendental-based explanations (Christopher, 2022a;Christopher, 2022b). A reincarnation (or transcendental) approach would also be consistent with dualism (as argued in the above-cited works by Stevenson, Tucker, and Carter).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Dualism 101: Terminal Lucidity and an Explanation

Christopher¹

2022

OJPP

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In simple terms, psychological dualism purports that there is an underlying complementary, non-material/physical cognitive component associated with a living organism. Thus mind would not simply be an expression of brain function. Science embraces materialism and generally views any form of dualism with disdain. Yet there are a number of accepted phenomena that are suggestive of dualism and in particular are consistent with the existence of souls. One such phenomenon is terminal lucidity, in which people inexplicably return to mental coherence shortly before death after appearing to be lost to "dull, unconscious, or mentally ill" conditions, sometimes for years. The physical/neural plausibility of such rejuvenation is difficult to imagine. Discussions herein introduce terminal lucidity primarily based on some clinal reports. Next, the medium-based communications reviewed in Chris Carter's Science and the After Life Experience are used to introduce the concept of a soul. Further, a dynamic suggested in Carter's coverage is then used to offer a simple explanation for terminal lucidity. Finally, for additional context, the state of neuroscience is considered and some brief conclusions are given.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Dualism 101: Terminal Lucidity and an Explanation

Christopher¹

2022

OJPP

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“…Previous work by the author has suggested that the traditional reincarnation model appears to offer a good starting point to explain some mysteries including the general missing heritability problem (Christopher, 2017a(Christopher, , 2017b. Additional work in this journal considered some evolutionary phenomena and their possible reincarnation-based explanations (Christopher, 2022a(Christopher, , 2022b. Furthermore, beyond this there seem to be numerous other amazing-and under-appreciated-mysteries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Secondarily, materialism appears inadequate to describe a number of unusual but accepted behavioral phenomena, including those of prodigies (Christopher, 2020). Of more general significance, our innate religious belief package strains the plausibility of evolutionary/DNA origins (Christopher, 2022b;Barrett, 2012).…”

Section: Introduction-the Landscape Of Materialism and Neurosciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Dualism 301: A Case for Multiple Soul Residency

Christopher

2024

OJPP

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Psychological dualism (or dualism herein) purports that there is a complementary, non-material/physical, mind-active component associated with a living organism. Thus mind would not simply be an expression of brain function as confidently believed by neuroscience (and science in general). As earlier work has suggested that confidence can be brushed aside by considering some accepted unusual behaviors. One simple dualism-consistent example is terminal lucidity in which people return to psychological coherence shortly before death despite having been lost to "dull, unconscious, or mentally ill" conditions, in some cases for years. Arguably framing these challenges to materialism, though, is genetics' unfolding "missing heritability" crisis in which many expected DNA origins have not been found despite extensive searches. An associated soul-consistent explanation is that instead of DNA origins these innate characteristics reflect continuity associated with the earlier lives of incarnating souls (and of course with this some other particular explanations). Herein arguments for the existence of souls are considered for the very surprising case of multiple soul residency in a single organism. Discussions on this possibility focus on the stunning experiences of some heart transplant patients, and also the very difficult condition of Multiple Personality (or Dissociative Identity) Disorder. These two phenomena pose very difficult challenges for materialism (and brain function), and on the other hand are suggestive of the influences of additional souls. Finally, some of the implications of these extraordinary possibilities are briefly considered.

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“…Questions abound surrounding our innate spiritual beliefs including of course the belief in a design impact but perhaps if the intervening stage (in a sequential life dynamic) involved psyche projections (as in dreaming) (Fremantle & Trungpa, 1992;Carter, 2012;Christopher, 2022b) that might contribute to a young child's belief in designs. One test of that hypothesis could come with investigations of natural religion around the globe.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaning beyond Molecules and Hubris: A Gross Case Supporting the General Religious Belief Package and Some Critical Perspectives

Christopher¹

2022

OJPP

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Any meaningful investigation into the potential validity of religious beliefs-including God-should prominently include their innate presence in children. That presence offers an enormous challenge to the scientific perspective and appears to be more relevant than established arguments. As an initial backdrop to discussions here, I begin with some quotes conveying the import of the contemporary scientific vision of life, as well as quotes conferring that vision's underlying DNA reliance. The article will then briefly argue that that confident vision-and in particular, its DNA reliance-is clearly flawed. The main discussions then consider the mysterious phenomenon of terminal lucidity before moving on to a focus on the plausibility of a DNA-based evolutionary explanation for the fact that "[t]he universal themes of religion are not learned" since they arrive as our natural religion. As an example of our increasingly secular era, the paper pauses to note Western Buddhism's divorce from religious and/or deeper perspectives. Subsequent closing discussions critically consider the questionable state of neuroscience and the limitations of the existing approaches to supporting religious perspectives. For those wondering about deeper aspects of life-with or without an affiliation to an official religion-then I suggest digging in for yourself. Hubris aside, the natural sciences do not have a monopoly on understanding life, and the contrary assumption has caused big problems.

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Reincarnation as a Complement to the Flawed DNA-Based Model of Life: Potential Contributions to Our Disposition towards Family and Religion/Spirituality

Cited by 4 publications

References 23 publications

Dualism 101: Terminal Lucidity and an Explanation

Dualism 101: Terminal Lucidity and an Explanation

Dualism 301: A Case for Multiple Soul Residency

Meaning beyond Molecules and Hubris: A Gross Case Supporting the General Religious Belief Package and Some Critical Perspectives

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