From Altered States to Metaphysics: The Epistemic Status of Psychedelic-induced Metaphysical Beliefs
Review of Philosophy and Psychology October 10, 2023 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1007/s13164-023-00709-6 via OpenAlex
Summary
Psychedelic substances can lead to significant changes in people's beliefs about the nature of reality, which may not necessarily be irrational. The paper argues that these altered states of consciousness can have a positive role in shaping metaphysical beliefs and that updating such beliefs based on these experiences can be rational rather than irrational.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | Psychedelic states can be rationally integrated into one’s epistemic life, allowing for updates to metaphysical beliefs without constituting epistemic irrationality. |
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Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic substances elicit powerful, uncanny conscious experiences that are thought to possess therapeutic value. In those who undergo them, these altered states of consciousness often induce shifts in metaphysical beliefs about the fundamental structure of reality. The contents of those beliefs range from contentious to bizarre, especially when considered from the point of view of naturalism. Can chemically induced, radically altered states of consciousness provide reasons for or play some positive epistemic role with respect to metaphysical beliefs? In this paper, I discuss a view that has been underexplored in recent literature. I argue that psychedelic states can be rationally integrated into one’s epistemic life. Consequently, updating one’s metaphysical beliefs based on altered states of consciousness does not have to constitute an instance of epistemic irrationality.