Altered Rationality? Integrating Psychedelic Experiences Into Rational Thinking Through the Critical Anchor Approach
Lucas F Borkel, Tobías Fernández-Borkel, Jaime Rojas-Hernández, Domingo J Quintana-Hernández, Elisa Hernández-Álvarez, L. Henríquez-Hernández
Philosophy, Psychiatry, & Psychology October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1353/ppp.0.a973595 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that delusions and psychedelic experiences can offer epistemic and psychological benefits, such as emotional adaptation and creativity, while cautioning that treating subjective experiences as metaphysical truths risks epistemic overreach and social disconnection. Proposes the "Critical Anchor Approach"—emphasizing meta-consciousness, critical thinking, epistemic humility, and phenomenal interpretation—as a framework for integrating insights from altered states within rational and empirical boundaries. |
Abstract
This paper examines delusions and psychedelic experiences as sources of both epistemic risk and benefit. Although these states are often seen as irrational or pathological, the paper explores their potential epistemic and psychological benefits, such as fostering emotional adaptation and creativity. The paper cautions against interpreting subjective experiences as metaphysical truths, which risks epistemic overreach and social disconnection. By introducing the Critical Anchor Approach, which emphasizes meta-consciousness, critical thinking, epistemic humility and the adoption of phenomenal rather than metaphysical interpretations to integrate insights from altered states, this paper offers a framework for synthesizing transformative insights within rational and empirical boundaries.