Tuesday, August 08, 2017

Poisoning the Well

Folks, google "Logical Fallacies."  I came across this post on "spiritual psychedelic drug taking" by Vince Horn, and could not believe...  well I shouldn't say that, because I'm infinitely mistaken.  Let's just say that its presumption that those opposed to the use of psychedelic drugs as "spiritual" practice should not be branded as "puritans."  Just because someone is opposed to the use of such practices on principle does not mean they are in favor of the War on Drugs.  What Mr. Horn did was invoke the logical fallacy of "poisoning the well" to portray opponents of his position in the worst possible light.

Mr. Horn does his position a grave disservice by presenting opponents of "spiritual psychedelic drug taking" this way.  It's dishonest, to boot.

I for one, have taken far more than my share of intoxicants in my lifetime, and in some aspects need to reduce further my intake of such things.  In no way would I consider these practices as "spiritual."

I can't speak for other Buddhist traditions, but I am firmly in the camp that says that "they're not the same thing and don't pretend they are."  And yes, the War on Drugs was a war on people who were not in certain in-groups in America by and large.  But that doesn't mean that Buddhist practices are compatible with taking strong hallucinogens.  

Let's just say if you're too out of it, you can't help yourself or others.

7 comments:

n. yeti said...

Buddhists might also be cautioned about the propensity of hungry ghosts and various other kinds of unwholesome beings to latch on to alcoholics and drug users. Undoubtedly most will laugh that off as crazy talk in our age of scientific materialism but it is no laughing matter.

n. yeti said...

By the way, it is nice to see you blogging again. I have always enjoyed your insightful and rewarding social commentary.

Mumon K said...

Thanks, I really appreciate it!

Al said...

How much does a hungry ghost weigh? Can you show me one?

Mumon K said...

I can't show you, but you don't need me to see one.

n. yeti said...

Al:

Sure here's one. Actually, I kind of see a resemblance...

https://faculty.humanities.uci.edu/sbklein/images/GHOSTS/hungryghosts/images/HunG1detail.jpg

n. yeti said...

Mumon:

Again this is no laughing matter. Buddhists might reflect well on the death of Aaron Joel Mitchell at Burning Man for greater insight.