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Open to Debate · August 14 · 54 min

Is Death Final? (Encore)

Near-death experiences have long challenged our understanding of consciousness and mortality. Some who come close to death report leaving their bodies, encountering vivid visions, or feeling profound peace. Are these experiences evidence that consciousness can survive death — or can they be explained by what happens in a dying brain? This 2014 debate is one we're still thinking about today. We ask whether science can reveal what, if anything, awaits us after we die. Arguing Yes: Eben Alexander, Former Neurosurgeon; Author of "Proof of Heaven" Raymond Moody, Medical Doctor; Author of "Life After Life" Arguing No: Sean Carroll, Physicist & Writer Steven Novella, Academic Neurologist at the Yale School of Medicine Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates Join the conversation on Substack—share your perspective on this episode and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated insights from our debaters, moderators, and staff. Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and TikTok to stay connected with our mission and ongoing debates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Near-death experiences have long challenged our understanding of consciousness and mortality. Some who come close to death report leaving their bodies, encountering vivid visions, or feeling profound peace. Are these experiences evidence that consciousness can survive death — or can they be explained by what happens in a dying brain? This 2014 debate is one we're still thinking about today. We ask whether science can reveal what, if anything, awaits us after we die. 


Arguing Yes:

Eben Alexander, Former Neurosurgeon; Author of "Proof of Heaven" 

Raymond Moody, Medical Doctor; Author of "Life After Life" 

Arguing No: 

Sean Carroll, Physicist & Writer 

Steven Novella, Academic Neurologist at the Yale School of Medicine 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

 

Join the conversation on Substack—share your perspective on this episode and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated insights from our debaters, moderators, and staff. 

Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and TikTok to stay connected with our mission and ongoing debates. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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