Psychedelic Experience

Summary

The book presents a philosophical perspective on psychedelic experiences, arguing that such experiences can be achieved through methods beyond psychedelics, particularly meditation. It proposes a conceptual framework to understand various types of psychedelic experiences and highlights commonalities between psychedelics and meditation, such as enhancing mindfulness and inducing mystical states. Additionally, it suggests that these experiences can serve as tools for philosophical inquiry, merging traditional analytic methods with psychedelic techniques.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Psychedelic Experience presents a philosophical account of psychedelic experience. A central premise of the book is that such experiences are mind-revealing experiences and that they can be induced by means other than psychedelics. In particular, the book argues that psychedelic experiences can also be had as the result of meditation. The book then presents a unified conceptual framework for thinking about the different kinds of psychedelic experiences one may have as a result of psychedelics, meditation, and their combination. This framework is then used to shed new light on various commonalities between psychedelics and meditation, such as the ability to promote long-lasting increases in mindfulness and their reputation for inducing mystical experiences. Finally, the book uses these new philosophical resources to flip things around and shine the light back on philosophy itself, arguing that psychedelic experiences can be used as tools for doing philosophy. The result is a new approach to philosophy (or the revival of an ancient one), which integrates traditional analytic methods with a range of psychedelic techniques.