[ExI] Drugs and creativity

[Dan TheBookMan]

On Dec 15, 2015, at 4:16 PM, Will Steinberg <steinberg.will at gmail.com> wrote:
> It's tough too because substances like these, particularly psychedelics, are anathema to the typical research setting such as a lab or hospital.  Staying in one place or answering "normal" questions on LSD becomes anxiety- or terror-producing.  But it's hardly scientific to say "take these drops and go do whatever, and let me know how it went."
> I think this raises an important question that I believe arises in the minds of many scientists on psychedelics when they inevitably think about the scientific study of psychedelics: is there a different route of analysis than science that can collect information on this stuff better?
> 
> I think it's very possible that science isn't always, or even isn't usually, the best way to study psychedelics.  So what's a better option?  Spiritualists and theologers throughout history have performed their own "studies" parallel to science.
> 
> I don't really believe that science needs to be replaced or given an alternate method of inquiry.  However, I think it's definitely true that current science needs augmentation.  This is becoming and will become more apparent as we study cosmology, relativity, and quantum physics more deeply.  It's already happening--we're more and more quickly approaching a time where science doesn't have the grammar to study the new questions it has unearthed.
> 
> So what needs adding?  More fuzzy logic?  I have no clue.
> 

Did you read the article I cited? Seems to say they did test creativity for one drug and found it was increased.

I wouldn't say empirical science is the only way to arrive at knowledge, though I'm deeply, even brutally suspicious of spiritual and theological approach. Yes, there are many paths to the top of the mountain, and also many that don't lead there. I'm not saying we should amputate the wrong paths -- just trying to caution people about the steep cliffs.

Regards,

Dan
  Sample my Kindle books via:
http://author.to/DanUst
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