Overview: This collection of essays within Altered Perspectives: Critical Essays on Psychedelic Consciousness delves into some of the strangest and most profound aspects of the psychedelic experience, such as seeing the self as an illusion, feelings of deep insight, the sublime (fear mixed with wonder), encounters with DMT entities, déjà vu, and existential joy.

Verdict: Drawing on research and theories from a variety of disciplines, author Sam Woolfe reflects on the ways that altered states may inform our understanding of consciousness, the self, and reality.

Particular attention is paid to the philosophy of psychedelics, with the aim of clarifying altered states through the lenses of metaphysics, philosophy of mind, epistemology, aesthetics, existentialism, and Buddhism.

In these essays, Woolfe balances open-mindedness with a critical and skeptical perspective - he believes that this approach is necessary when examining psychedelic consciousness.

Having now read this new book cover-to-cover twice in the past couple of weeks, I can honestly attest to the fact that it is a fascinatingly thoughtful, dutifully insightful, and wholly enlightened prose that is as beguiling as it is all-encompassing.

Broken down into ten chapters, the philosophy of psychedelics is a growing field, and for good reason. The psychedelic experience, much like philosophy, can instill in us radical shifts in perspective, related to everything that matters to us, and to many things we rarely (if ever) question or consider.

The mind-altering, belief-changing nature of philosophy aligns well with the psychedelic experience, in which these effects are felt more dramatically and viscerally. In a flash of illumination and insight, a particular idea one expected was true can feel confirmed; a cherished perspective may, alternatively, be discarded; or perhaps a belief previously rejected or overlooked is adopted. These changes of mind may occur swiftly or slowly.

Simply put, the author’s aim is that in these essays the reader investigates certain psychedelic phenomena with a critical and skeptical outlook, as there are many experiences one can have on psychedelics that may lead to strong and certain conclusions and consciousness or reality but which nonetheless deserve scrutiny.

About the Author - Sam Woolfe is a writer and blogger who is interested in the intersection between psychedelic experiences and philosophical views. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including IAI News, Philosophy Now, and the Psychedelic Press journal. You can read more of his work at www.samwoolfe.com. He lives in London, UK.

Official Book Purchase Link