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Moral responsibility, consciousness and psychiatry
1Hull/York Medical School and Philosophy Department, University of Hull, Hull HU6 RX, UK. john.mcmillan@hyms.ac.uk
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|December 14, 2005
Summary
This study explores the link between consciousness and moral responsibility, a key concept in psychiatry. It applies Harry Frankfurt
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Mind
- Psychiatry
- Moral Psychology
Background:
- Moral responsibility is a fundamental, yet often implicit, concept in psychiatric practice.
- It serves as both a therapeutic goal and a critical evaluative framework within psychiatry.
- Understanding the psychological underpinnings of moral responsibility is crucial for psychiatric assessment and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the intricate connection between consciousness and moral responsibility.
- To present and analyze Harry Frankfurt's influential psychological theory of moral responsibility.
- To adapt and apply Frankfurt's theory to various psychiatric phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of the relationship between consciousness and responsibility.
- Detailed explanation of Harry Frankfurt's theory of moral responsibility.
- Application of a modified Frankfurtian account to psychiatric contexts.
Main Results:
- Identifies moral responsibility as a critical, though often unstated, element in psychiatric care.
- Provides a clear exposition of Frankfurt's psychological theory of moral responsibility.
- Demonstrates the utility of a modified Frankfurtian framework in understanding psychiatric conditions.
Conclusions:
- Consciousness and moral responsibility are deeply intertwined, with significant implications for psychiatry.
- Frankfurt's theory offers a valuable lens for examining moral responsibility in psychological contexts.
- The modified application of this theory aids in the evaluation and potential treatment of psychiatric phenomena.