Breaking through the doors of perception, consciousness, and existence: to what extent does psychedelic phenomenology ontologically depend on external factors?
Journal of Psychedelic Studies March 21, 2024 Denis Fradkin 3 citations
Psychedelic experiences produce altered states of consciousness that are difficult to understand, attracting research across neuroscience, pharmacology, psychology, and philosophy. This paper examines the metaphysical debate between internalism and externalism—whether the 'breakthrough' level of psychedelic phenomenology depends directly on external factors. The author provides a coherent account of essential phenomenal characteristics of psychedelic experiences, integrates fragmented philosophical debates into the traditional internalist-externalist framework, and explores whether the externalist position (often linked to non-naturalism) is compatible with naturalistic explanations. The paper concludes in favor of weak internalism, noting that while externalism remains more speculative, it cannot be rejected until further progress in consciousness research is made.