Conclusion
Philosophy of Psychedelics August 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1093/med/9780198843122.003.0010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the Comforting Delusion Objection to psychedelic therapy fails and that an 'Entheogenic Conception' of psychedelics is plausible and consistent with naturalism. |
Abstract
The ‘Conclusion’ summarises the main ideas of Philosophy of Psychedelics and makes some suggestions for future research. The first part of the chapter provides a chapter-by-chapter summary of the arguments of the book, and lists the various testable predictions that follow from these arguments. The second part suggests some other directions for future research, pointing to outstanding questions about psychedelics in various fields of inquiry, including philosophy of science, philosophy of psychiatry, ethics, epistemology, and the philosophy of transformative experience. The third part reflects on the significance of the book’s two central theses: that the Comforting Delusion Objection to psychedelic therapy fails, and that an ‘Entheogenic Conception’ of psychedelics as agents of epistemic benefit and spiritual experience is both consistent with naturalism and plausible in light of our best current evidence.