Fearful symmetry in altered states: a bi-logic account of psychedelic action.
Front Psychol August 19, 2025 Matthew Goldreich 2 citations
This conceptual paper introduces Matte Blanco's bi-logic as a framework for understanding psychedelic altered states. Bi-logic reformulates Freud's conscious and unconscious processes into two modes: the asymmetrical mode, characterized by logic, differentiation, and ordered relations in space and time; and the symmetrical mode, characterized by symmetry, generalization, unity, spacelessness, timelessness, paradox, and boundless affect. The authors propose that psychedelics shift the balance toward the symmetrical mode, making it more prevalent in subjective experience and mental functioning. This framework may help therapists and patients better receive and integrate experiences involving intense affect, paradox, and dissolution of self-other boundaries in psychoanalytically-informed psychedelic therapy.