The Limits of Perception: Knights of Narcotics, Nonhuman Aesthetics and the Psychedelic Revival

The global pandemic has intensified a desire for alternative ways of experiencing the world, and the recent resurgence of interest in psychedelics may reflect this need. While the 'psychedelic renaissance' is largely framed by scientific research, this article examines it from a philosophical perspective, using concepts from Deleuze and Guattari about aesthetics and nonhuman perception. It argues that psychedelics can help understand the current era of the Anthropocene. The article draws on the work of artistic psychonauts like Aldous Huxley and Philippe Garrel to develop this framework.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The global corona pandemic has reinforced a need for alternative sensibilities to the world. A renewed interest in psychedelics that has emerged in the last decade, may be one of the symptoms of this need for new perceptions. The so-called psychedelic renaissance is by and large defined by a scientific discourse and has not yet been considered extensively from a philosophical perspective. This article will propose a conceptual framework offered by Deleuze and Guattari, focusing on aesthetics and (nonhuman) perception, to understand the current attention to psychedelics in the current context of the Anthropocene. A return to the work of artistic psychonauts such as Aldous Huxley and Philippe Garrel will provide some guiding thoughts.