Naturalistic Entheogenics: Précis of Philosophy of Psychedelics

The book Philosophy of Psychedelics addresses the Comforting Delusion Objection, which questions the ethical and epistemic validity of psychedelic therapy because it may induce non-naturalistic metaphysical beliefs. The author argues that while exotic metaphysical ideas sometimes arise, they are not the primary driver of therapeutic change. Instead, psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD produce benefits by altering the sense of self and changing how people relate to their own minds and lives. This reconciles an 'Entheogenic Conception' of psychedelics—viewing them as agents of insight and spirituality—with naturalism, the view that the natural world is all there is. Controlled psychedelic use can lead to genuine knowledge and spiritual growth even without a cosmic consciousness or divine reality.

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Abstract

In this précis I summarise the main ideas of my book Philosophy of Psychedelics . The book discusses philosophical issues arising from the therapeutic use of classic psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and LSD. The book is organised around what I call the Comforting Delusion Objection to psychedelic therapy: the concern that this novel and promising treatment relies essentially on the induction of non-naturalistic metaphysical beliefs, rendering it epistemically (and perhaps, therefore, ethically) objectionable. In the book I develop a new response to this Objection which involves showing that a popular conception of psychedelics as agents of insight and spirituality is both consistent with a naturalistic worldview and plausible in light of current scientific knowledge. Exotic metaphysical ideas do sometimes come up, but they are not, on closer inspection, the central driver of change in psychedelic therapy. Psychedelics cause therapeutic benefits by altering the sense of self, and changing how people relate to their own minds and lives--not by changing their beliefs about the ultimate nature of reality. Thus, an "Entheogenic Conception" of psychedelics as agents of insight and spirituality can be reconciled with naturalism (the philosophical position that the natural world is all there is). Controlled psychedelic use can lead to genuine forms of knowledge gain and spiritual growth--even if no Cosmic Consciousness or divine Reality exists.