What I Saw When I Was Dead
What I Saw When I Was Dead by A. J. Ayerby A. J. Ayer
Shares rank 13 of 30 philosophy books by recommenders
Ayer's account of a near-death experience argues that the evidence suggests dualism without a soul or deity; critics find it anecdotal and self-important.
Ayer's account of a near-death experience argues that the evidence suggests dualism without a soul or deity; critics find it anecdotal and self-important.
8 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 4
- criticize it
- 4
- approval share
- 50%
Recommended in 1 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: not recommended
- January 2026: not recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: recommended
- May 2026: not recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: not recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: not recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 4 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, not met.
- 1 recommender for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, not met.
- Recommended in 1 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, not met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Reasonable, honest conclusion
“Clearly he wrote it as an intellectually honest response to something he experienced”
Comment from 20 Apr 2026 in “A. J. Ayer – ‘What I Saw When I Was Dead’ (1988)” “I think his conclusion is very reasonable.”
Comment from 20 Apr 2026 in “A. J. Ayer – ‘What I Saw When I Was Dead’ (1988)” Dualism without soul or deity
“Ayer makes good points that evidence of dualism does not imply 'spirit' or soul dualism, or existence of a deity.”
Comment from 19 Apr 2026 in “A. J. Ayer – ‘What I Saw When I Was Dead’ (1988)” Message on kindness and compassion
“To Consider the significance of kindness, compassion, love to and for each other, which world, at large, is missing”
Comment from 19 Apr 2026 in “A. J. Ayer – ‘What I Saw When I Was Dead’ (1988)”
Other philosophy books people recommend
The four most recommended other philosophy books, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tao Te Chingby Laozi | 32 | 3 | 91% | 9 | — | Approved |
| Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenanceby Robert Pirsig | 24 | 3 | 89% | 9 | 44 yrs3 owners | Approved |
| Meditationsby Marcus Aurelius | 17 | 4 | 81% | 8 | — | Approved |
| I Am a Strange Loopby Douglas Hofstadter | 16 | 1 | 94% | 8 | — | Approved |
| What I Saw When I Was Deadby A. J. AyerThis page | 4 | 4 | 50% | 1 | — | — |
What people said
All 9 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“His conclusion is based on anecdotal evidence from his French friend's mother”
“it’s proselytizing material”
“Clearly he wrote it as an intellectually honest response to something he experienced”
“I think his conclusion is very reasonable.”
“It also directly contradicted his stance about metaphycal claims.”
“And where in Ayer's experience is this life review, reincarnation, or message of peace?”
“had a tough time reading past the self-important tone and psycho babble”
“To Consider the significance of kindness, compassion, love to and for each other, which world, at large, is missing”
“Ayer makes good points that evidence of dualism does not imply 'spirit' or soul dualism, or existence of a deity.”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.