Psychedelics Today

PT560 – Philosophy and Psychedelics: Can Metaphysics Bring Meaning to Non-Ordinary States?, with Dr. Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes

Oct 29, 2024

Dr. Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes, a philosopher and lecturer at the University of Exeter, dives into the profound connections between philosophy and psychedelics. He reveals how William James influenced his exploration of metaphysics, emphasizing its importance for meaningful psychedelic experiences. The discussion touches on panpsychism, ethics in psychedelic research, and the limitations of scientific materialism. Sjöstedt-Hughes advocates for a philosophical approach to understanding consciousness, which could reshape our interactions with non-ordinary states.

01:01:40

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Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes

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Quick takeaways

Integrating philosophical frameworks into psychedelic research enhances understanding and interpretation of complex therapeutic experiences for better integration of lessons.

Panpsychism challenges traditional materialism by proposing that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of all matter, influencing diverse forms of existence.

Ethical discussions surrounding psychedelics highlight the importance of foundational ethical theories to navigate consent, cultural appropriation, and responsible practices.

Deep dives

Philosophy's Role in Psychedelic Research

The integration of philosophy into psychedelic research is highlighted as crucial for understanding complex therapeutic experiences. Philosophers can provide frameworks for categorizing and interpreting various states, particularly distinguishing between mystical and metaphysical experiences. By cultivating a philosophical lens, researchers can clarify the implications of psychedelic experiences that often reflect profound existential insights. This approach invites greater depth in discussions that commonly overlook the intricate nature of consciousness and experience.

Intro

2min

Philosophy and Ethics of Psychedelics

4min

Excitement for Breaking Convention and Event Planning Details

2min

The Intersection of Philosophy and Psychedelics in Academic Inquiry

6min

Panpsychism and Consciousness

26min

Beyond Scientism: Exploring Consciousness and Psychedelics

10min

Exploring Psychedelics and Consciousness

13min

In this episode, Joe interviews Dr. Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes: philosopher, lecturer at the University of Exeter, co-director of the Breaking Convention conference, and author who most recently co-edited Philosophy and Psychedelics: Frameworks for Exceptional Experience.

He discusses how the work of William James and an early psilocybin experience led him to an interest in philosophy and psychedelics, and he dives deep into several philosophical concepts: panpsychism, pantheism, ethical pluralism, teleology, process theology, Whitehead’s fallacy of misplaced concreteness, and more. He believes that science has lost touch with metaphysics – the branch of philosophy that examines the basic structure of reality – and that studying metaphysics will lead to more beneficial experiences with the non-ordinary: If you can understand and frame the experience, you’ll have a much better chance of being able to integrate its lessons.

He discusses:

The complexity of ethics and the need to ask more philosophical questions
His book, Neo-Nihilism, which argued that there are no shared objective morals
The West’s’ obsession with scientism and believing only what can be reducible to matter: Is science honest if it ignores the ineffable?
The connections between philosophical frameworks and religion: Would studying comparative religion help us better understand each other?
The need for more experiential research

and more!

Sjöstedt-Hughes is the co-lead on Exeter’s 12-month postgraduate certificate course, “Psychedelics: Mind, Medicine, and Culture,” and is finalizing his next book, a manual on psychedelics and metaphysics.

For links, head to the show notes page.