ABSTRACT:

Certain psychedelic states can give rise to alternate metaphysical beliefs, such as the recently-researched psychedelic-induced shift from physicalism to panpsychism (that minds are ubiquitous in Nature). Whilst some may see these shifts as delusions, there are logical reasons to keep an open mind as we do not yet agree upon any answer to the mind-matter problem: the question as to what relation the ‘mind’ has to ‘matter’. Philosopher of mind and metaphysician Dr Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes (University of Exeter) will consider issues with the standard Western approach to the mind-matter problem, which in turn will lead to the opening of possibilities of other metaphysical systems (such as Spinozism). This in turn will offer new natural frameworks for fathoming psychedelic experiences.

BIO:

Dr Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes is philosopher of mind and metaphysics who specialises in the thought of Spinoza, Nietzsche, Bergson, and Whitehead, and in fields pertaining to altered and panpsychological states of consciousness. He is a research fellow and associate lecturer at the University of Exeter where he has co-founded the Philosophy of Psychedelics Exeter Research Group, the ambit of which includes taught modules, conferences, workshops, and publications.

Peter is the author of Noumenautics, Modes of Sentience, editor of Bloomsbury's Philosophy and Psychedelics volume, the TEDx Talker on ‘psychedelics and consciousness’, and he is inspiration to the inhuman philosopher Marvel Superhero, Karnak.