Metamorphoses: Transformation, Meaning, and the via psychedelica
New Directions in Philosophy and Cognitive Science January 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-95203-6_5 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThis chapter argues that the psychedelic experience is a transformative experience and one of the most profound avenues for personal and philosophical growth. Drawing on ancient Greek philosophy, Perennialism, and Scheler's philosophical anthropology, the author contends that the psychedelic experience seeks self-identification with the Ground of Being, a unifying source of existential meaning. The exploration reveals that psychedelics, by inducing profound shifts in consciousness, align with philosophical traditions that emphasize direct, experiential engagement with deeper layers of reality.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Transformation genetics Meaning existential Art Philosophy Epistemology |
| Key finding | Argues that the psychedelic experience is a transformative experience seeking self-identification with the Ground of Being, aligning with key philosophical traditions that emphasize direct experiential engagement with deeper reality. |
Abstract
AbstractIn this final chapter, I explore the psychedelic experience through the lens of transformative experiences, asserting that it is one of the most profound avenues for personal and philosophical growth. Drawing connections to ancient Greek philosophy, Perennialism, and Scheler’s philosophical anthropology, I argue that the psychedelic experience seeks self-identification with the Ground of Being, a unifying source of existential meaning. This exploration reveals that psychedelics, in their capacity for inducing profound shifts in consciousness, align with key philosophical traditions that emphasise direct, experiential engagement with the deeper layers of reality.