Mystical experiences without mysticism: An argument for mystical fictionalism in psychedelics
Journal of Psychedelic Studies June 8, 2022 Bradley Armour Garb, Mitchell Earleywine 10 citations
Mystical experiences often precede decreases in suffering or increased functioning, and therapies using psychoactive substances in supportive environments yield improvements that correlate with the magnitude of such experiences. This creates a philosophical quandary for empiricists: arguing against the reality of mystical experiences can be awkward, yet ignoring them would dismiss compelling replicated empirical work. The authors propose a version of philosophical fictionalism, drawing on logic and linguistics, to treat reports of mystical experiences as true without implying the mystical is veridical. This approach offers an expressive advantage for researchers refining psychedelic-assisted treatments and may inspire novel models that sidestep the need for fictionalism.