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rth Concept

in those days it was,
I think it still is, forbidden
in Lebanon for people to have
in their homes."

"So this was a typical case
in many ways, but also a better
one hn usual, because of the
cnce to be very precise in
recording what the child said
before any verification had
taken place.

"We must still remember we
really have no proof – far from
it. But there's an accumulation
of evidence bearing on this
matter. Every case has flaws,
and they all depend on human
testimony."

His research has produced
evidence that many of the
attitudes displayed in the
subjects of the cases he has
studied are also those of the
related previous personalities.

"For example," he says,
"the little boy in Lebanon is
very fond of hunting. The
previous personality was also
very fond of hunting. Also, the
previous person was very fond
of a woman whom he wanted
to marry. The little boy still
talks about that same woman
and wants to go to see her even
though she is married."

Socio-Economic Differences

Dr. Stevenson has also
researched cases in which he
found large socio-economic
differences between the two
people concerned, either rich
to poor or poor to rich.
However, he admits there is
almost no evidence as to what
factors would underlie such
drastic changes if they are best
explained by reincarnation.

"For example," he says,
"there is a case in India of a
little boy whom I know well
and have been following for
many years. He's from a
dreadfully poor family but
remembers a previous life as a
wealthy man, probably the
wealthiest in the community."

"But I can't find that this
man was vicious or mean.
Actually, I find that he was
very philanthropic and did a
good deal for the community."

Manufacture Knowledge

Hindu or Buddhist
philosophers explain such
phenomena as a reward or
punishment for good or bad
actions in a past life, but Dr.
Stevenson insists there is no
evidence to support this.

In light of all this discussion
on his research, Dr. Stevenson
contends that in any university
"we should be manufacturing
as well as retailing knowledge."

"I'm almost a fanatical
believer in basic research. Most
of the great advances in human
knowledge have come from
scientists responding to their
own sense of curiosity."

Dr. Stevenson believes that
universities have an uneven
history with regard to
supporting basic research.
"Sometimes they're in the
front, but sometimes they have
fallen behind," he says.

"However, I feel that the
University of Virginia has had a
particularly good record in this
respect, especially under Pres.
Shannon who is very keen on
both out-of-state students and
basic research," he continues.

Explains Personality

As a parapsychologist,
though, Dr. Stevenson believes
reincarnation "can offer the
chance to explain certain
aspects of human personality
that modern theories of
heredity and environmental
influences don't adequately
explain."

Nevertheless, he emphasizes
that he does not regard any of
these cases as providing
individually or collectively a
proof of reincarnation, but
rather that they provide a body
of evidence which is
increasingly impressive.

"I'm simply looking for a
third dimension," he explains.

Thus, it may be wise to take
heed from this cryptic
commentary and be kind to
your friends in the swamp–for
a duck may be somebody's
mother.