March 27, 2021
We understand that there are many places where you can go for a conversation about psychedelics, so we are deeply grateful that you have joined us on our expedition.
Ancient knowledge around achieving the full range of human experience is now resurfacing through the use of psychedelics. This is an old and familiar world for some of us and a new and exciting one for others.
The vision of the BPA is to examine psychedelics through various prisms: history, art, music, mindfulness, breathwork, yoga, cosmology, theology, ecology, biology, psychology, neuroscience, psychiatry, sociology and anthropology.
We will be engaging in conversations about the philosophical exploration of psychedelics. Philosophical enquiry has, historically, preceded all scientific innovation and human development. However, when it comes to human consciousness, much of the philosophy of mind has focused on only one state of consciousness, or ‘ordinary’ awareness which has not contributed to the understanding of altered consciousness and how that impacts a person’s relationship with themselves and with the world.
Hopefully, this is changing. A ‘Philosophy of Psychedelics’ conference will be hosted by the University of Exeter next month and promises to explore frameworks for exceptional experience. There will be an introduction from Prof. David Nutt and discussions will focus on areas such as: phenomenology, epistemology, critical theory, metaphysics, ethics and aesthetics.
I will be attending the conference and will provide summary notes to the BPA community. Our wish is to see the creation of a ‘Philosophical Theory of Psychedelics', which will help guide ethical regulations in this renewed landscape.
The BPA will also be initiating our own projects, which will actively look to increase awareness of the legalities and political process around psychedelics.
Again, we are delighted to welcome you to our community and look forward to embarking on this psychedelic safari together.
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