Moral Psychedelics: Analysing Moral Preference to Different Psilocybin Applications

Abstract

This study examines the influence of moral preference on attitudes toward psilocybin applications and the real world validity of the Morality as Cooperation Framework. We aim to separate out the influence of political identities to uncover any moral preference variance that underpins social judgements on therapeutic, recreational and prosocial (individual moral enhancement) psilocybin applications. The study aims to explore whether previously observed anti-recreational sentiments held by conservative political orientations that see drug-permissiveness as a sign of moral decline are maintained when considering potential moral enhancement or treatment of mental disorders in therapy via psilocybin. In light of recent studies indicating the therapeutic effectiveness of psychedelics, this study looks into potential cause for policy changes surrounding the use of psychedelics for therapy and personal moral enhancement (considered prosocial as the increase in empathy broadens an individual's moral perspective). If moral preference accounts for significant variance in attitudes toward psilocybin when controlling for political identity, it would indicate that the debate on deregulating psychedelics is not simply a political issue but a moral issue. The benefits of psychedelics for society may outweigh the risks of relaxed drug regulations that may prevent successful treatment of mental illnesses taking place.

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