On the Degrees of Freedom Worth Having - Psychedelics and Free Will
Explore the intersection of psychedelics, free will, and consciousness in this thought-provoking 21-minute conference talk. Delve into the concept of free will as a capacity for conscious intentions to cause actions, and examine how it relates to the ability to explore alternative possibilities. Investigate the metaphysical implications of "uncaused causes" and consider how action selection may be influenced by emergent levels of organization. Learn about the evolutionary and developmental significance of volition and flexibility, and discover how these mechanisms potentially overlap with serotonergic signaling pathways affected by psychedelic compounds. Gain insights into the adaptive significance of psychedelic experiences and how they may alter various degrees of freedom, shedding light on important sources of variation across and within individuals.