Philosophy Series: Psychedelic Psychiatry and Philosophy of Science

Psychedelics are at the forefront of psychiatry and neuroscience, with an evolving sentiment that they can revolutionize psychiatry by changing how we understand and treat mental illness.

The 6th lecture of the MIND Philosophy series will bring psychedelic evidence to bear on philosophical issues within psychiatry from the perspective of philosophy of science, such as the nature of psychiatric disorders and psychiatric nosology. First, the talk will provide an overview of traditional themes in the philosophy of psychiatry and the debates that arise within. Second, it will summarize recent developments in psychedelic research and outline their implications for the philosophy of psychiatry. Third, it will describe the evidence that neuroscientists aim to discover and then show how psychedelics pose interesting challenges in clinical and laboratory settings. It will finish with a conclusion by highlighting important developments in the philosophy of science that can be used as conceptual tools for overcoming some of these challenges.

Jaipreet Mattu is a PhD student in the department of philosophy at Western University, and a member of the Rotman Institute of Philosophy. Her research focuses on psychedelics, psychiatry, and neuroscience.