Consciousness and psychedelics: In conversation with Rupert Sheldrake

Consciousness and psychedelics: In conversation with Rupert Sheldrake

Author: IAI November 28, 2025 Duration: 31:33

Philosophers cannot stop talking about consciousness - what are its limits? What is it made of? What does it allow us? This podcast is part of that conversation, but from a more experimental perspective.

Join biologist and researcher Rupert Sheldrake as he discusses consciousness with philosopher Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes from the lens of psychedelics. Once on the fringes of academic and popular interest, psychedelics have recently moved towards the mainstream as their potential in expanding our awareness and connecting us to others is progressively revealed. Both Rupert and Peter have much intimacy with the topic at hand, and creatively draw lessons from it to muse on the inner workings of our mind.

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Each week, Philosophy For Our Times opens up a space for genuine conversation, moving beyond headlines to examine the deeper questions shaping our world. Produced by the IAI, this podcast naturally draws on a global roster of philosophers, scientists, and cultural critics who don't just offer answers but engage in substantive debates. You'll hear discussions that feel urgent and relevant, whether they're untangling the ethics of new technology, probing the tensions in contemporary politics, or exploring what art tells us about society. The aim is to apply rigorous thought to the issues that dominate the news and our personal lives, making complex ideas accessible without losing their depth. Tuning into this podcast is like having a front-row seat to the conversations that define our moment, delivered with the clarity and nuance that thoughtful examination requires. It’s a weekly invitation to pause and reflect, using philosophy not as a remote discipline but as a vital tool for understanding.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 545

Philosophy For Our Times
Podcast Episodes
The limits of nothingness | Peter van Inwagen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:44
From philosophy to science, metaphysics to psychology, the idea of 'nothing' is central to the universe, existence and experience as a whole. But the nature of 'nothing' is even more bewildering than we might first imagi…
Video games and the meaning of life | James Tartaglia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:49
Video games are changing how we think. Many are so realistic that some argue they are becoming reality. In this talk by philosopher James Tartaglia, he uncovers the relationship between games and reality.James Tartaglia…
Utopia and human nature | Paul Bloom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:15
Human nature and the possibility of utopiaThe idea of utopia - of a perfect society devoid of suffering and inequality - is planted firmly in the human imagination and psyche. From pre-biblical times to Thomas More and c…
More choice means less freedom | Psychologist Barry Schwartz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:32
Why more is lessWe're surrounded by choice - an endless sea of possible paths we might take. However, does the overwhelming range of choices leave us better off or worse? In general, we tend to think that more is better,…