Entheogens and Existential Intelligence: The Use of Plant Teachers as Cognitive Tools
Canadian Journal of Education / Revue canadienne de l éducation January 1, 2002 Kenneth W. Tupper 75 citations
Entheogens—psychoactive plants used as spiritual sacraments, such as ayahuasca, psilocybin mushrooms, peyote, and the Indo-Aryan soma—have been revered across cultures as tools for deepening cosmological understanding. In light of recent drug-law liberalizations, the author uses Gardner's revised multiple intelligence theory, specifically the postulated 'existential' intelligence, as a framework to explore how these substances might facilitate existential intelligence. The work examines potential cognitive benefits and educational ramifications, arguing that entheogens can serve as spiritual or cognitive tools for individuals and cultures.