Dan's review
The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell
by Aldous Huxley
Dan's review
The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell by Aldous Huxley
Dan's review
rating:
recommended for: people who like taking psychedelic drugs, perennial religious seekers, cognitive scientists
This is one of the most influential books on my personal world view. It is masterfully written and the ideas presented within it are fascinating.
Between the two essays the unifying argument is that the part of the human brain that processes perception has evolved as a complex filter. It filters out all the the things in the universe that are not necessary for our survival. In the case of psychedelic drugs, the action is to reduce the efficacy of the brain as a filter allowing us to perceive more than we usually do. In the case of religious singing or fasting, the action is to deny the brain resources (oxygen and carbohydrates) to reduce the efficacy at filtering perceptions. Huxley compares and contrasts traditional western religious practices with use of psychedelic drugs in other religions.
Also, Huxley discusses the social ramifications of legalizing and expanding responsible use of hallucinogenic drugs.
Aldus Huxley was brilliant. And while his argument may seem ins...more
Between the two essays the unifying argument is that the part of the human brain that processes perception has evolved as a complex filter. It filters out all the the things in the universe that are not necessary for our survival. In the case of psychedelic drugs, the action is to reduce the efficacy of the brain as a filter allowing us to perceive more than we usually do. In the case of religious singing or fasting, the action is to deny the brain resources (oxygen and carbohydrates) to reduce the efficacy at filtering perceptions. Huxley compares and contrasts traditional western religious practices with use of psychedelic drugs in other religions.
Also, Huxley discusses the social ramifications of legalizing and expanding responsible use of hallucinogenic drugs.
Aldus Huxley was brilliant. And while his argument may seem ins...more
