Arguing that we ought to look to psychedelic aesthetics of the 1960s in relation to current crises in liberal democracy, this book emphasizes the intersection of European thought and the psychedelic. The first half of the book focuses on philosophical influences of Herbert Marcuse and Antonin Artaud, while the second half shifts toward literary and theoretical influences of Aldous Huxley on psychedelic aesthetics. Framed within an emergent discourse of political theology, it suggests that taking a postsecular approach to psychedelic aesthetics helps us understand deeper connections between aesthetics and politics.

Autorentext

Roger Green is a lecturer in the Department of English at Metropolitan State University of Denver, USA, where he teaches English and Songwriting. He is also a working musical artist, combining literary and aesthetic ideas in sound.

Inhalt

Chapter One: Liberal Subjectivity, Religion, And The State     

Chapter Two: Psychedelic Aesthetics, Political Theology, And Religion          

Chapter Three: European Influences

Chapter Four: The Return To 'Nature' And The Problem Of The Perennial       

Chapter Five: Theorizing The Psychedelic Experience          

Chapter Six: Psychedelic Citizenship And Re-Enchantment: Affective Aesthetics As Political Instantiation          

Chapter Seven: Aldous Huxley The Political Theologian   

Chapter Eight: Conclusion: Re-Enchantment And Psychedelic Aesthetics