Workshop on 'The Epistemology of Altered States of Consciousness'

Call for Abstracts: “The Epistemology of Altered States of Consciousness”

We are hosting a two-day interdisciplinary workshop on the epistemology of altered states of consciousness (ASCs) at Tilburg University in Utrecht, the Netherlands. ASCs are, roughly, naturally or chemically induced extraordinary/anomalous experiences. Some examples are mystical experiences, psychedelic experiences, near-death experiences, religious experiences, psi phenomena, and entity encounters.

Empirical research on states of this kind is booming. Research on psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, DMT) reveals how ASCs are easily induced by these substances and have potential mental health benefits; recent approaches in cognitive neuroscience investigate the neural mechanisms correlated with these experiences; and (cognitive) anthropology shows the role of ASCs in multiple (non-Western) religious traditions.

Philosophical reflection on ASCs has been growing steadily for the past 20 years. Philosophers of mind have discussed the relevance of these states for our understanding of consciousness. Philosophers of religion have explored how ASCs are involved in (alternative) modes of religiosity. Nevertheless, epistemic analyses remain, overall, scarce. We believe that, given the centrality of ASCs in several religious and spiritual traditions, and given how certain altered states are increasingly pursued to gain self-knowledge and heal past trauma, assessment of the epistemic dimension of such experiences is crucial.

The workshop falls primarily within the scope of analytic epistemology. However, our broader aim is to provide a platform for interdisciplinary reflection on the overlap between (empirical) scholarship on ASCs and epistemological debates on knowledge, beliefs, justification, disagreement, etc. We therefore welcome contributions from various backgrounds, including but not limited to (social) epistemology, philosophy of religion, theology, cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and anthropology. Presentations combining theoretical and empirical perspectives are especially welcome.

Potential questions to address are:

• Are beliefs based on perceptual and/or introspective experiences during ASCs justified?
• Can ASCs provide knowledge that is otherwise inaccessible? If so, what kind of knowledge?

·       Is personal experience necessary for expertise on ASCs?

·       Can (deep) disagreements over ASCs be resolved?

·       What kind of beliefs are formed through an ASC?

·       What “evidence” is reliable in the study of ASCs?

Other, related topics may be explored as well. Contact one of the organizers if you’re unsure if your topic meets the scope of the workshop.

The talks will last 20 minutes + 10 minutes of Q&A.

Please send an abstract of approximately 500 words to [email protected] and/or [email protected]. Questions can be directed here as well.

The deadline for submitting your contribution is: 1 October  2025

You will hear back from us by 15 October 2025

Guest speakers:     Jussi Jylkkä (Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland)

                              Michiel van Elk (Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands)

Workshop dates:                                15 – 16 January 2025

Location:                     Nieuwegracht 61/65, 3512 LG, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide travel grants. Lunch, coffee, and snacks will be covered by Tilburg University. For suggestions or help regarding traveling and accommodation, please feel free to get in contact with us.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Utrecht!

Best regards,

Hans Van Eyghen

Alberto Cavallarin