Lezing
SG - Psychedelic Experience
The experiences one has when using psychedelics vary widely. This raises the question: do they belong the same group of experiences? And, if so, what do they have in common?
Above questions triggered philosopher and mathematician Aidan Lyon to dive deep into the world of psychedelic experiences, even writing a book about them.
He takes the word ‘psychedelic’ to have its original meaning as ‘mind revealing’. Can the experiences we can have with psychedelics be classified as such? If so, what about, for example, geometric hallucinations caused by psychedelics? Finally, he digs into the concept of mysticism. What are mystical experiences, and is there a way of knowing if they are psychedelic?
About Aidan Lyon
Dr. Aidan Lyon studied mathematics and philosophy. In 2009, he completed his PhD on the philosophical foundations of probability at the Australian National University. Currently he works as a philosopher at the University of Amsterdam. He is an external member of the Munich Centre for Mathematical Philosophy. His research focusses on psychedelics, meditation, uncertainty, wisdom, and collective decision making.
Aidan also is CEO and co-founder of DelphiCloud, and often works as a freelance consultant on projects related to his research areas. His book ‘Psychedelic Experience’ will soon be published at Oxford University Press.
About series Psychedelics
Ayahuasca retreats become increasingly popular. Psylocibine, the active ingredient in magic truffles and mushrooms, might be the new medicine against depression. MDMA has become a fashionable party-drug ánd psychedelic. Psychedelics recently returned to the spotlight, so let’s take an in-depth look at those intriguing substances.