module
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
PHLM013: Philosophy and Psychedelics
This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 academic year.
Module Aims
This module aims to provide a critical, pluralistic understanding of psychedelic substance use past and present, as well as a deeper, focussed understanding of certain emerging concerns related to problems of the mind and of power relations. As such, pivotal issues in philosophy can be used and developed in this exponentially growing field, such as:— the relation of ‘mental health’ to metaphysical, phenomenological, and political analyses of the ‘self’. The unfathomable extent of consciousness, and thus the extention of aesthetics and the augmentation of the subject and object of philosophies of mind. Related thereto arise questions of cognitive liberty, indigenous epistemicide, environmentalism, and the potential of future theologies of mysticism.
Students will gain knowledge of this emerging field, and therewith new arenas in which philosophical knowledge can be fruitfully applied. Moreover, students will realize and benefit from the web of interconnections that psychedelic research allows philosophy to weave throughout cultural and social anthropology, political science, neuroscience, theology, in addition to psychology and psychiatry.
The writing of short review essays will advance your ability to summarize arguments succinctly and you will be guided to write one brief essay on a theme of your choice from the course.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate solid knowledge and understanding of multiple perspectives on psychedelic narratives. 2. demonstrate understanding of the problems of mind highlighted by psychedelic experience. 3. present your own analyses of the implications of theories on pressing debates of our time. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. demonstrate a high level of knowledge about psychedelic theories and their application 5. demonstrate sound knowledge of past and current debates in philosophic psychedelia. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 6. demonstrate capacity to conduct research independently 7. demonstrate aptitude for succinct oral presentations to groups 8. write reflective academic review and research essays |