The enculturation problem
Philosophical Perspectives on Psychedelic Psychiatry September 13, 2024 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780192898371.003.0012 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that integrating psychedelic experiences into culture requires a 'culture of consciousness' alongside harm reduction, technology assessment, and ethical regulation. |
Abstract
Abstract The ‘enculturation problem’ is the problem of how to integrate the psychedelic experience into culture and societal practice, in a way that is rational, evidence-based, and ethically convincing. In a first-order approximation, the enculturation problem can be framed as a problem for applied ethics and policy-making: How can the psychedelic experience be culturally integrated in a way that minimizes risks and maximizes benefits for society as a whole? Viewed in this way, the enculturation problem centrally involves harm reduction, technology assessment, and ethically informed innovation in the domain of legal regulation. This chapter examines various aspects of the problem in detail and offers some suggestions about how it might be solved. It argues that part of what is needed is the development of a genuine Bewussteinskultur, or ‘culture of consciousness’.