This week we delve into philosophy and neo-nihilsim, as we’re joined by Peter Sjöstedt-H . We discuss how the psychedelic experience fits into his philosophical models, and how microdosing could contribute to modern transhumanism. We also learn about a Marvel character that is getting a new movie and TV franchise, and how Peter was involved!

Podcast Highlights

Peter was a ‘straight-edge’ philosopher before any experiences with psychedelics. While teaching a ‘philosophy of religion’ course in London, he decided that the fabled ‘religious experience’ was something he needed first-hand knowledge of. He picked some magic mushrooms in a field and had his first encounter with the psychedelic.

This led Peter to investigate the link between psychedelics and philosophy – which he was surprised to find, had not been researched in great detail before. He found that many famous philosophers had used psychedelics, and perhaps most influentially, Plato himself.

Peter is now attempting to create a philosophical framework in which to explain the psychedelic experience. His greatest interest is panpsychism, which is the subject of his PhD studies. Pansychism is the concept that mind is intrinsic to existence – that is, everything is mind, nothing truly exists outside of consciousness. This concept is familiar to many psychonauts, who describe feeling the sentience of inanimate objects or the inherent life in all things.

Not many philosophers could say they’ve had a hand in the creation of a TV series… but Peter’s writings have influenced the upcoming big-screen revival of Karnak, a Marvel character. Peter’s essay on Neo-Nihilismwas read by Warren Ellis, novelist and screenwriter, and inspired Karnak’s reincarnation.

The basis of Peter’s Neo-Nihilism is the works of philosophers such as Nietzsche on the topic of morality. The basic idea is that there are no absolute morals, no good and evil, no ultimate duty or purpose.

Peter argues that modern morality is based on what Nietzsche called a “Slave Morality,” influenced by Roman culture, whereby we value characteristics such as meekness, compassion and humility. We take these concepts for granted as an absolute morality. Peter suggests that the psychedelic experience has the potential to strip away your values and show you the reality of morality – basically, that there is no true morality.

We briefly discuss transhumanism – the concept that humanity’s evolution is becoming accelerated by technology and substances – and its relation to microdosing. Peter believes that before microdosing can be accepted as a legitimate way to improve ourselves, we need to break down the acceptance of ‘Slave Morality’ and fight the stigmatization of substances.

Finally, Peter emphasises the need for caution with psychedelics. There is a risk associated with them, and we need to avoid promoting them as harmless miracle cures. There is potential dogmatism when it comes to psychedelics, and dogmatism is always unfounded. It’s up to individuals to think for themselves and overcome societal conditioning.