Metamorphoses: Transformation, Meaning, and the via psychedelica
Danny Forde
New Directions in Philosophy and Cognitive Science 2025 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-95203-6_5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Transformation genetics Meaning existential Epistemology |
| Key points | 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.
Citations in the library
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and 6 more in the library