Thomas Metzinger is a renowned German philosopher. He has a longtime fascination with psychedelics, stemming from his own experience and also from his work as an analytic philosopher. He says altered states of consciousness give us profound insights into the nature of the mind. And he believes modern society has an ethical imperative to foster a “culture of consciousness.”Original Air Date: August 02, 2025Interviews In This Hour: Guests: <a href="https://www.ttbook.org/people/thomas-metzinger">Thomas Metzinger</a> Never want to miss an episode? <a href="https://link.chtbl.com/TTBOOK">Subscribe to the podcast.</a> Want to hear more from us, including extended interviews and favorites from the archive? <a href="https://ttbook.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=3cb4c021b28e511db7dc0b1ca&id=64562fd7d9">Subscribe to our newsletter.</a>

Thomas Metzinger is a renowned German philosopher. He has a longtime fascination with psychedelics, stemming from his own experience and also from his work as an analytic philosopher. He says altered states of consciousness give us profound insights into the nature of the mind. And he believes modern society has an ethical imperative to foster a “culture of consciousness.” Original Air Date: August 02, 2025 Interviews In This Hour: Guests: Thomas Metzinger Never want to miss an episode? Subscribe to the podcast. Want to hear more from us, including extended interviews and favorites from the archive? Subscribe to our newsletter.

Thomas Metzinger is a renowned German philosopher. He has a longtime fascination with psychedelics, stemming from his own experience and also from his work as an analytic philosopher. He says altered states of consciousness give us profound insights into the nature of the mind. And he believes modern society has an ethical imperative to foster a “culture of consciousness.”Original Air Date: August 02, 2025Interviews In This Hour:&nbsp;Guests: <a href="https://www.ttbook.org/people/thomas-metzinger" rel="noopener noreferrer">Thomas Metzinger</a> Never want to miss an episode? <a href="https://link.chtbl.com/TTBOOK" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe to the podcast.</a> Want to hear more from us, including extended interviews and favorites from the archive? <a href="https://ttbook.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=3cb4c021b28e511db7dc0b1ca&amp;id=64562fd7d9" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe to our newsletter.</a>

Thomas Metzinger on why we need a “culture of consciousness”

Are you ready for the psychedelic revolution? In the next few years, the FDA is likely to approve these mind-bending drugs for treating depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some states have already decriminalized psilocybin, the active ingredient in "magic" mushrooms.

But for all the headlines, many questions are swirling around this psychedelic renaissance. How do we make these drugs effective, safe and accessible to the people who need the most help? And how can they be used ethically, when much of the knowledge about plant medicines comes from Indigenous cultures?

Psychedelics also raise profound questions about the nature of consciousness and mystical experience. People often describe their psychedelic experiences as “more real” than everyday life. Is this just an illusion, or do these experiences tap into some deeper reality?

In “Luminous,” TTBOOK executive producer Steve Paulson explores the philosophical and cultural implications of psychedelics.

"Luminous” is a series from "To The Best Of Our Knowledge" featuring conversations about psychedelics with scientists, healers and religious scholars. You can listen to each episode on the radio or find the series plus bonus extended conversations on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Are you ready for the psychedelic revolution? In the next few years, the FDA is likely to approve these mind-bending drugs for treating depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some states have already decriminalized psilocybin, the active ingredient in "magic" mushrooms. But for all the headlines, many questions are swirling around this psychedelic renaissance. How do we make these drugs effective, safe and accessible to the people who need the most help? And how can they be used ethically, when much of the knowledge about plant medicines comes from Indigenous cultures? Psychedelics also raise profound questions about the nature of consciousness and mystical experience. People often describe their psychedelic experiences as “more real” than everyday life. Is this just an illusion, or do these experiences tap into some deeper reality? In “Luminous,” TTBOOK executive producer Steve Paulson explores the philosophical and cultural implications of psychedelics. "Luminous” is a series from "To The Best Of Our Knowledge" featuring conversations about psychedelics with scientists, healers and religious scholars. You can listen to each episode on the radio or find the series plus bonus extended conversations on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Thomas Metzinger on why we need a “culture of consciousness”

Thomas Metzinger on why we need a “culture of consciousness”

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