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This book challenges the notion that [[consciousness]] is only the result of a functioning brain. It suggests that consciousness can be considered separately from the brain, which provides a basis for claims of [[reincarnation]].<ref name=but/> The book also discusses objections to reincarnation: the paucity of persons who actually claim to remember a past life, the fragility of memories, the [[population explosion]], the [[mind-body problem]], [[fraud]], and others.<ref name=tuck/>
This book challenges the notion that [[consciousness]] is only the result of a functioning brain. It suggests that consciousness can be considered separately from the brain, which provides a basis for claims of [[reincarnation]].<ref name=but/> The book also discusses objections to reincarnation: the paucity of persons who actually claim to remember a past life, the fragility of memories, the [[population explosion]], the [[mind-body problem]], [[fraud]], and others.<ref name=tuck/>

Tucker recognizes that none of the cases examined are perfect, and "faulty memory by informants" is seen to be the "best normal explanation for many of the cases" reviewed in the book.<ref name=two>Jim B. Tucker (2005). ''Life Before Life: A scientific Investigation of Children's Memories of Previous Lives'', St. Martin's Press, New York, pp. 205-209.</ref> Tucker discusses this, referring to several relevant studies which have been done, and concludes that there is no support for the conclusion that informants must be remembering statements or events incorrectly.<ref name=two/>
Tucker basically agrees with Ian Stevenson who said "reincarnation is the best -- even though not the only -- explanation for the stronger cases we have investigated".<ref name=three>Jim B. Tucker (2005). ''Life Before Life: A scientific Investigation of Children's Memories of Previous Lives'', St. Martin's Press, New York, p. 211.</ref> Tucker recognizes that this may seem to be an "astounding statement" to some readers -- that "memories, emotions and physical injuries can sometimes carry over from one life to the next".<ref name=three/> However, he argues that this is no more astounding than many currently accepted ideas in physics seemed to be when they were originally proposed.<ref name=three/>


''Life Before Life'' has been reviewed in several journals including the ''[[Journal of Parapsychology]]'',<ref>''Journal of Parapsychology'', 69(1): 188-194, 2005.</ref> ''[[Journal of Scientific Exploration]],''<ref>Michael Levin, [http://www.scientificexploration.org/journal/reviews/reviews_19_4_levin.pdf Book Review: Life Before Life], ''Journal of Scientific Exploration'', Vol 19, No 4, 2005.</ref> ''[[Philosophical Practice]]'',<ref>Naomi Thomas, "Life Before Life: A Scientific Investigation of Children's Memories of Previous Lives", ''Philosophical Practice'', 2(2): 131-133, 2006.</ref> and ''[[PsycCRITIQUES]]''.<ref name=but/>
''Life Before Life'' has been reviewed in several journals including the ''[[Journal of Parapsychology]]'',<ref>''Journal of Parapsychology'', 69(1): 188-194, 2005.</ref> ''[[Journal of Scientific Exploration]],''<ref>Michael Levin, [http://www.scientificexploration.org/journal/reviews/reviews_19_4_levin.pdf Book Review: Life Before Life], ''Journal of Scientific Exploration'', Vol 19, No 4, 2005.</ref> ''[[Philosophical Practice]]'',<ref>Naomi Thomas, "Life Before Life: A Scientific Investigation of Children's Memories of Previous Lives", ''Philosophical Practice'', 2(2): 131-133, 2006.</ref> and ''[[PsycCRITIQUES]]''.<ref name=but/>

Revision as of 01:24, 4 October 2009

Life Before Life
File:Lbl.jpg
AuthorDr. Jim Tucker
PublisherNew York : St. Martin's Press.
Publication date
2005
ISBN0-312-32137-6
OCLC59223926

Life Before Life: A Scientific Investigation of Children's Memories of Previous Lives[1] is a 2005 book written by psychiatrist Jim Tucker, which presents an overview of more than 40 years of research at the University of Virginia Division of Personality Studies into Children's reports of past life memories. The book also discusses "birthmarks and birth defects that match those of a deceased person who is identified by the child".[2] The foreword to the book is written by Ian Stevenson.[3]

This book challenges the notion that consciousness is only the result of a functioning brain. It suggests that consciousness can be considered separately from the brain, which provides a basis for claims of reincarnation.[2] The book also discusses objections to reincarnation: the paucity of persons who actually claim to remember a past life, the fragility of memories, the population explosion, the mind-body problem, fraud, and others.[3]

Tucker recognizes that none of the cases examined are perfect, and "faulty memory by informants" is seen to be the "best normal explanation for many of the cases" reviewed in the book.[4] Tucker discusses this, referring to several relevant studies which have been done, and concludes that there is no support for the conclusion that informants must be remembering statements or events incorrectly.[4]

Tucker basically agrees with Ian Stevenson who said "reincarnation is the best -- even though not the only -- explanation for the stronger cases we have investigated".[5] Tucker recognizes that this may seem to be an "astounding statement" to some readers -- that "memories, emotions and physical injuries can sometimes carry over from one life to the next".[5] However, he argues that this is no more astounding than many currently accepted ideas in physics seemed to be when they were originally proposed.[5]

Life Before Life has been reviewed in several journals including the Journal of Parapsychology,[6] Journal of Scientific Exploration,[7] Philosophical Practice,[8] and PsycCRITIQUES.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Two other books with the same title and similar subject matter are Life Before Life by Helen Wambach (1984) and Life Before Life: Origins of the Soul...Knowing Where You Came From and Who You Really Are (2000) by Richard Eyre.
  2. ^ a b c Butziger, R. "A Scientific Look at Reincarnation", PsycCRITIQUES, 51(22), May 31, 2006, p. 282.
  3. ^ a b Jim B. Tucker (2005). Life Before Life: A scientific Investigation of Children's Memories of Previous Lives, St. Martin's Press, New York, 256pp. ISBN 0-312-32137-6.
  4. ^ a b Jim B. Tucker (2005). Life Before Life: A scientific Investigation of Children's Memories of Previous Lives, St. Martin's Press, New York, pp. 205-209.
  5. ^ a b c Jim B. Tucker (2005). Life Before Life: A scientific Investigation of Children's Memories of Previous Lives, St. Martin's Press, New York, p. 211.
  6. ^ Journal of Parapsychology, 69(1): 188-194, 2005.
  7. ^ Michael Levin, Book Review: Life Before Life, Journal of Scientific Exploration, Vol 19, No 4, 2005.
  8. ^ Naomi Thomas, "Life Before Life: A Scientific Investigation of Children's Memories of Previous Lives", Philosophical Practice, 2(2): 131-133, 2006.

External links