A philosopher's view of near-death research.

This article summarizes some trends and issues raised by a review of recent articles in the Journal of Near-Death Studies.It points to a need for clarity on the problems of monism and dualism, on the definitions of near-death experiences (NDEs), on reasoning by analogy, and on hypothe sis testing and falsification.While recognizing the superficial similarities be tween NDEs and a broad range of spiritual experiences, psychotic syndromes, and psychological states, it urges a nonreductionistic focus on those issues amenable to recognized research methodologies.The International Association for Near-Death Studies (LANDS) is approaching its 15th year, and it has grown from a liberal bunch of long-haired or bearded interns and graduate students of the '70s into a mainstream organization attracting renowned scholars to speak at its conferences and write for its professional quarterly Journal of Near-Death Studies.I am extremely gratified by this progress, and depend heavily on the Journal both to keep abreast of the latest thinking in the field, and to publicize the legitimate scholarly nature of near-death research to colleagues and other professionals.Lest any of the following comments be misconstrued, let me first say that I am deeply grateful to the many authors, reviewers, and editors of the Journal for the efforts and energies they pour into this research and its publication.