Defense Date

2-18-2026

Graduation Date

Spring 5-6-2026

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Philosophy

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Jay Lampert

Committee Member

Lanei M. Rodemeyer

Committee Member

Fred Evans

Keywords

Phenomenology, Psychedelics, Psychedelic Experience, Jean-Luc Marion, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Saturated Phenomena, Chiasm

Abstract

This work seeks to develop the nascent sub-field of the phenomenological philosophy of psychedelics. Beginning with a general overview of key aspects pertinent to psychedelic studies, the focus then turns to a general disciplinary discussion of current approaches within the philosophy of psychedelics, as well as psychedelic philosophy—a distinction which is technically deployed. Special consideration is given to the specific approach known as the “natural philosophy of psychedelics,” which is taken as the philosophical foil to the preferred approach of phenomenological philosophy. A survey of the extant literature regarding the implementation of phenomenology within psychedelic discourse is then provided and analyzed. The work then turns to a general account of phenomenological philosophy, as well as a specific account of the central phenomenological themes of intuition and embodiment. The final two chapters consist of applied phenomenological analyses of, on the one hand, psychedelic intuition (taken as exemplary of saturated phenomena) and, on the other hand, psychedelic flesh (taken as exemplary of a phenomenological ontology). These final two chapters engage with and innovate upon the phenomenological positions of Jean-Luc Marion and Maurice Merleau-Ponty, respectively. A precis of key theses, with avenues for further research within the phenomenological philosophy of psychedelics, are stated in the concluding remarks.

Language

English

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