Daniel Villiger

Daniel Villiger is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Zurich funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) for the "Motivational Change" project under the Messerli group. Holding dual doctorates in Philosophy and Behavioral Economics, he maintains an active research profile bridging theoretical philosophy with clinical applications in emerging psychedelic therapies.

His educational trajectory demonstrates remarkable interdisciplinary breadth:

• Habilitation thesis for Venia Legendi in Philosophy (2024, University of Zurich)
• Doctorate in Philosophy (2020-2022, University of Zurich)
• Doctorate in Behavioral Economics (2016-2020, University of St. Gallen)
• MSc Psychology (2018-2020, University of Zurich)
• CAS in Higher Education Didactics (2018-2019, University of St. Gallen)
• BSc Psychology (2014-2018, University of Zurich)
• MA International Relations and Governance (2015-2016, University of St. Gallen)
• BA Economics (2011-2014, University of St. Gallen)

Villiger's research synthesizes decision theory, bioethics, and cognitive science to address critical gaps in psychedelic-assisted therapy. His work rigorously examines how transformative experiences challenge conventional models of rational decision-making, particularly regarding informed consent when patients face epistemic limitations about psychedelic effects. He develops philosophical frameworks for understanding therapeutic relationships where traditional communication breaks down due to the ineffable nature of psychedelic experiences.

Analysis of his 14 recent publications (2024-2025) reveals three dominant research vectors: (1) Ethical infrastructure for psychedelic therapy including therapist training requirements and safety protocols, (2) Theoretical reconceptualization of transformative experiences through predictive processing models, and (3) Critical examination of "psychedelic exceptionalism" in regulatory frameworks. His scholarship consistently connects abstract philosophical concepts to concrete clinical implementation challenges.

Funded by an SNSF Starting Grant, Villiger leads the "Motivational Change" project investigating how psychedelic experiences alter motivational structures. He actively contributes to international consensus-building through the Hopkins-Oxford Psychedelics Ethics (HOPE) Working Group, shaping ethical standards for this rapidly evolving therapeutic domain.