Living Mirrors with Dr. James Cooke Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes on the philosophy of the psychedelic experience | Living Mirrors #76
Dec 8, 2021
Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes, a philosopher of mind known for his work on panpsychism and altered states, joins the discussion to explore the fascinating intersection of psychedelics and philosophy. He delves into how psychedelics challenge our perceptions of reality and question traditional notions of morality through the lens of neo-nihilism. The conversation highlights the complexity of consciousness, drawing from historical thinkers like Whitehead and Kant. Peter also teases insights from his upcoming book, encouraging a deeper understanding of the transformative power of psychedelic experiences.
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Peter's Psychedelic Experience
- Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes recounts discovering magic mushrooms and having an awe-inspiring psychedelic experience in Cornwall.
- This experience sparked his deep philosophical inquiry into altered states and their value in philosophy.
Phenomenology Meets Ontology
- Phenomenology is essential for analyzing psychedelic experiences, but linking it to ontology enriches understanding of their reality.
- Psychedelics challenge usual consciousness, possibly revealing parts of reality beyond standard perception.
Noetic Quality of Psychedelic States
- Psychedelic experiences can feel noetic, giving a sense of accessing deeper reality beyond ordinary perception.
- Whether these experiences are hallucinatory depends on one's metaphysical stance about reality’s knowability.
