All Episodes

February 28, 2021 62 mins

Dr. Michael Marder is Ikerbasque Research Professor of Philosophy at the University of the Basque Country where, for example, he teaches courses in “Ecology and Phenomenology,” and “Philosophical Anthropology.” His research interests include ethical and political philosophy, environmental philosophy, and phenomenology, and he has authored a number of books on these topics. I invite Michael on the podcast to discuss plant phenomenology, or what he calls “phytophenomenology,” in other words, a combination of phenomenology, botany, and population ecology. Considering many psychedelics stem from a range of plant species, we’re going to find out what it is like to be a plant; to what degree plants are sentient and intelligent; and how the above relate to psychedelics in general and what we can infer about Tabernanthe iboga. Topics of our discussion include: what “phenomenology” is and its application to plant subjectivity; alienness of plant life; rather than anthropomorphize plants, Michael wants to vegetalize humans; signs of plant intelligence and communication; Nietzsche’s “will to power” and Heidegger’s “standing reserve” as two sides of the same coin; plant phenotypic expression through human consumers; plants using humans possibly more than humans using plants; psychedelics affording experiences of the world through their plant consciousness and perception; the ethics of eating a plant’s psychoactive alkaloids, considering alkaloids are defense mechanisms caused by stressors in the plant’s environment (akin to eating meat from stressed animals, similarly speaking); plant and animal co-evolution; and “clashing lifeworlds,” e.g., experiencing the intersection of sober and psychedelic lifeworlds. To find out more about Michael, visit his website at (https://www.michaelmarder.org). Also, visit my Podcast Supplements article regarding afterthoughts of Michael and I’s conversation (https://amhouot.com/88-ep3-6_psychedelic-phenomenology-or-what-is-it-like-to-be-a-psychedelic-plant_michael-marder/).

CONNECT

Twitter (https://twitter.com/AMhouot)

LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amhouot/)

Academia (https://independent.academia.edu/AMHouot)

ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Am_Houot)

DISCLAIMER

Iboganautics is a podcast intended for entertainment purposes only and all content shared on Iboganautics is for entertainment purposes only. This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider or legal counsel with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or legal situation. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. Neither Iboganautics nor any of its affiliates, sponsors, producers, guests, or hosts encourage the illegal use of controlled substances.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Ruthie's Table 4

Ruthie's Table 4

For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.