Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations
Universalism, Constructivism and Near-Death Experience
Published on 10. May 2009
Book
Hardback
284 pages
978-0-8264-4073-0 (ISBN)
Description
Gregory Shushan challenges post-modern scholarly attitudes concerning cross-cultural comparisons in the study of religions. In an original and innovative piece of comparative research, he analyses afterlife conceptions in five ancient civilisations (Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumerian and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and pre-Columbian Mesoamerica).
These are considered in light of historical and contemporary reports of near-death experiences, and shamanic afterlife 'journeys'. Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations is a significant study, for it presents a comprehensive new comparative framework for the cross-cultural study of myth and religion, while at the same time providing a fascinating exploration of the interface between belief and experience.
These are considered in light of historical and contemporary reports of near-death experiences, and shamanic afterlife 'journeys'. Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations is a significant study, for it presents a comprehensive new comparative framework for the cross-cultural study of myth and religion, while at the same time providing a fascinating exploration of the interface between belief and experience.
Reviews / Votes
"...a very well-written book by a consummate scholar. Each of Gregory Shushan's sentences is pregnant with facts...Shushan's book is a major contribution to the field of comparative religion and near-death studies. It is a 'must-read' for students of religious experience." De Numine, Autumn 2009 This book represents a scholarly and well-argued study, and is a landmark in both the anthropological study of afterlife conceptions and in research into NDEs. I recommend it highly, and eagerly await its sequel... it represents a very valuable analysis, and is a fascinating read. -- Journal of the Society for Psychical Research 'This very interesting book... is a valuable and important addition to several literatures in religious studies, consciousness studies, and the sociology of death and dying.' -- Allan Kellehear * Journal of Contemporary Religion *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
540 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8264-4073-0 (9780826440730)
DOI
CBID133173
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Gregory Shushan is Perrott-Warrick Researcher at the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion, University of Oxford, UK.
Content
Foreword by Gavin Flood
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations of Primary Sources
Introduction
Part I: Theory and Methodology in Concept and Application
1. Comparison, Universalism, and the Rehabilitation of the Comparative 'Similar'
2. Early Civilizations, Contact, Diffusion, and Cultural Continuity
3. Near-Death Experience
Part II: Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations
4. Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt
5. Sumerian and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia
6. Vedic India
7. Pre-Buddhist China
8. Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica
Part III: Universalism and Culture-Specificity: An Interdisciplinary Approach
9. Analysis of Similarities and Differences
10. The Interface of Conception and Experience
11. Alternative and Supplementary Theories
12. Conclusions: Theoretical Eclecticism and A New Comparative Framework
References
Index
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations of Primary Sources
Introduction
Part I: Theory and Methodology in Concept and Application
1. Comparison, Universalism, and the Rehabilitation of the Comparative 'Similar'
2. Early Civilizations, Contact, Diffusion, and Cultural Continuity
3. Near-Death Experience
Part II: Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations
4. Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt
5. Sumerian and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia
6. Vedic India
7. Pre-Buddhist China
8. Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica
Part III: Universalism and Culture-Specificity: An Interdisciplinary Approach
9. Analysis of Similarities and Differences
10. The Interface of Conception and Experience
11. Alternative and Supplementary Theories
12. Conclusions: Theoretical Eclecticism and A New Comparative Framework
References
Index