Animals and Near-Death Experiences.

Greyson, Bruce

Defining consciousness in human beings is a challenge; consciousness in nonhuman animals is even more controversial because animals cannot communicate using human language. Nevertheless, scientists have studied animal consciousness through behavioral tests of their self-awareness. The evidence from a variety of studies suggests that at least some nonhuman animals may have consciousness analogous to that of humans. Testimony from humans who report encountering deceased pets in their near-death experiences suggests that the consciousness of deceased pets may survive their bodily death. This possibility raises the question of whether animals might have near-death experiences analogous to those of humans. Behavioral observations of animals on their deathbeds and behavioral changes in animals following close brushes with death suggest that animals may, indeed, have near-death experiences.

NEAR-death experiences; ANIMAL mortality; PETS; SELF-consciousness (Awareness); HUMAN beings; CONSCIOUSNESS

Journal of Near-Death Studies, 2024, Vol 41, Issue 1, p23

0891-4494

Academic Journal

10.17514/JNDS-2023-41-1-p23-39