Death and Personal Survival (Paperback)

~ Robert Almeder (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In a style that is both philosophically sophisticated and accessible to general readers, Robert Almeder introduces readers to the vigorous debate in the scientific community about the possibility of personal survival after death. He argues that belief in some form of personal survival is as empirically justifiable as our belief in the past existence of dinosaurs. Drawing on 21 of the best case studies in reincarnation, apparitions of the dead, ostensible possession, out-of-body experiences, and trance mediumships, "Death and Personal Survival" offers a comprehensive discussion of the best empirical evidence in each of these areas and refutes alternative explanations offered by sceptics.

About the Author

Robert Almeder, Professor of Philosophy at Georgia State University, is the author of 15 books including "Business Ethics: Corporate Values and Society" and "Beyond Death: The Evidence for Life After Death".

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Littlefield Adams Quality Paperbacks (January 25, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822630168
• ISBN-13: 978-0822630166
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #624,202 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, serious study!, March 1, 2000

By A Customer

This is one of the really excellent modern works in this field. I can't believe no one else has reviewed it. It is light years ahead of the New Age silliness which dominates modern writing on life after death. The author is a professor with excellent credentials, and this is a serious and balanced study of the evidence for personal survival. He focuses on the best evidence in each of several different areas (reincarnation, apparitions, etc.) and considers alternative (i.e., skeptical) interpretations. He finds some of the evidence compelling and some of it not-so-compelling, but the book as a whole is very pro-survival. This book is frequently cited and seems to have become pretty much a standard reference. If you have any interest in the possibility of life after death, this belongs in your library.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A review of other's work, December 16, 2000

By A Customer

This book is divided into several sections: Reincarnation, Out of Body Experiences, Apparations of the Dead, and a few others. In each section, the author provides some leading cases (although not enough NEW cases) and research of others as evidence for something existing. Then he presents the critics arguments, and he attempts to review both sides of the case.

One thing that I found disappointing about the book is that the author has done zero research on his own. He has read widely on the subjects at hand, but the book is essentially his opinion of the arguments. He trys to use logical arguments to destroy the critics position, and for the most part, he succeeds. It seems he was more critical of the critics than of the researchers such as Ian Stevenson to the point I question his impartiality on the subject.

The book has value in that he provides the user with a wide range of arguments against the various claims.