Speaker Bio
Aidan Lyon is a philosopher at Leiden University and the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy.
He completed his Ph.D. in Philosophy in 2009 at the Australian National University and has Bachelor's degrees in Science (Mathematics) and Arts (Philosophy) from the University of Queensland. His academic research is at the intersection of psychology and philosophy and focuses on wisdom, uncertainty, meditation, yoga, and psychedelics. He has published research articles in many top journals in philosophy and held academic appointments at several universities worldwide.
His book, *Psychedelic Experience: Revealing the Mind*, was recently published with Oxford University Press in 2023. He is currently working on the three-year project, "Mystical Entropy", funded by the Templeton Foundation. This project seeks to use the concept of entropy to unify the recent science of mystical experiences with traditional philosophical systems of mysticism.
Aidan also works as a philosophical consultant across various domains, including biosecurity intelligence, geopolitical forecasting, environmental decision-making, institutional investing, psychedelic therapy, and meditation training.
ICPR 2024 Abstract
Spirituality in psychedelic research and therapy
This symposium explores the issue of integrating spirituality into psychedelic research and therapy, a debate that has garnered significant attention in contemporary scientific circles. At the core of this discourse lies the question of whether spiritual elements should be incorporated into the scientific study and therapeutic application of psychedelics. A faction of researchers and practitioners advocates for a naturalistic or secular approach, suggesting the removal of spiritual notions to maintain scientific rigour. Contrarily, another perspective emphasises the intrinsic nature of psychedelic experiences, which often encompass mystical or spiritual dimensions. Proponents of this view argue for the inclusion of spirituality, citing evidence that mystical-type experiences under psychedelics can lead to positive well-being changes, particularly among healthy individuals. Bringing together both proponents and opponents, this symposium will explore these issues in depth, focusing on the role of spiritual expertise in psychedelic research, the nature and impact of mystical experiences, and the intricate relationship between psychological well-being and spirituality. The goal is to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of this complex subject, appealing to both scientific researchers and therapists involved in psychedelic studies. Through this exploration, the symposium seeks to bridge the gap between spiritual experiences and scientific inquiry, shedding light on how these two realms can coexist and facilitate diversity in psychedelic research.