Originally posted by twhitehead
I am still unclear what you mean by 'to know'. I believe I know what happens after death and I see no difference between that knowledge and plenty of other knowledge I have including day to day experiences. You apparently do see a difference. What is it?
You appear to be saying that the only information we can obtain about the possibility of consciousness after death is through the report of someone who has experience it. I dispute that.
support your assertion.
You say " I believe I know what happens after we die."
I could say the same thing, assuming I wanted to represent an experience about which I formed an opinion as established fact. When I had my wisdom teeth removed, I was given a little too much anesthesia. I stopped breathing and my heart stopped. I was clinically dead for a very short period -- not long enough to deprive my brain of oxygen or do damage. However, I experienced this "death" as a sense of everything rushing away from me, as a picture growing smaller and smaller, or as seemingly leaving my body and looking at the scene from a distance. Then all went so black that when I was revived and then woke from the coma state accidentally induced, I realized none of the sensations normally found when one is sleeping or put out lightly: I had no sense that time had passed at all, no dreams, nothing. Later, I was told my sensations or experience was what was normal and common -- the shrinking or feeling of traveling up and away was due to my consciousness shutting down, similar to the way old cathode ray TV sets used to shrink down and wink off.
Do I know what happens after death? No. I know what happened to me. I have no knowledge about what happens after death if you are not revived. I have an opinion, a belief that the oblivion I experienced is all you get, which can be alright, if you are dressed for it. Wear clean underwear.
What you've said means only that you have an opinion, you suppose you know, etc. Here is why:
The word "know" can only be a transitive verb and the verb
"believe," whether or not it has the same object, takes us to the definitions of that verb, provided below.
A transitive verb requires an object in order to be grammatical (used properly):
1 a (1): to perceive directly : have direct cognition of
(2): to have understanding of <importance of knowing oneself>
(3): to recognize the nature of : discern
b (1): to recognize as being the same as something previously known
(2): to be acquainted or familiar with
(3): to have experience of
2 a: to be aware of the truth or factuality of : be convinced or certain of
b: to have a practical understanding of <knows how to write>
The word to "believe," on the other hand, may be used as a transitive or as an intransitive verb.
An intransitive verb does not act on an object. For example, "believe" is intransitive in the sentence "I believe I know."
Without the "what happens after we die" as an object, the word "know" in the sentence above is meaningless.
But if the object of the verb "know" is "what happens after we die," then you must be referring to one of the definitions provided.
The verb "believe," appears to be used intransitively in your sentence.
To believe, in an intransitive sense:
1 a: to have a firm religious faith
b: to accept as true, genuine, or real <ideals we believe in> <believes in ghosts>
2: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something <believe in exercise>
3: to hold an opinion : think <I believe so>
"Believe" used in a transitive sense must have an object in the original sentence referring to the idea you "believe I know" -- namely -- what happens after we die,
Believe means, in a transitive sense:
1 a: to consider to be true or honest <believe the reports> <you wouldn't believe how long it took>
b: to accept the word or evidence of <I believe you> <couldn't believe my ears>
2: to hold as an opinion : suppose <I believe it will rain soon>