What Are Drugs For?

In What Are Drugs For?, Timothy McMahan King explores humanity's complex relationship with drugs, tracing their historical, religious, and social significance and revealing how these substances, often viewed as dangerous, have played vital roles in shaping civilizations and cultures. He critiques modern attitudes that oscillate between the rejection of "evil" drugs and the pursuit of "miracle" cures, advocating for a deeper understanding of drugs as tools for human flourishing. By revisiting our collective history with these potent substances, King seeks to illuminate contemporary challenges and suggest pathways for a balanced perspective moving forward.