Abstract

Join us for a lecture from philosopher Dr. Chris Letheby, who will explore philosophical questions concerning (i) psychedelics, self-consciousness, and phenomenal consciousness, (ii) the epistemic profile of the psychedelic experience; (iii) ethical concerns about the appropriate use of psychedelics; and (iv) whether spiritual or religious dimensions of psychedelic use are compatible with a naturalistic worldview.

Dr. Letheby is a philosopher working on issues related to the therapeutic and transformative potential of classic psychedelic drugs. In his work, Letheby argues that a traditional conception of psychedelics as agents of insight and spirituality can be reconciled with naturalism, the philosophical position that the natural world is all there is. He is currently Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Western Australia and Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Adelaide on the Australian government-funded project ‘Philosophical Perspectives on Psychedelic Psychiatry’.

His monograph, ‘Philosophy of Psychedelics’ was published in 2021 by Oxford University Press.