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Philosophy, biology and mental disorder
1Psychiatric Nursing Research Institute, Royal Park Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Philosophical perspectives offer a valuable critique of the dominant biological model of mental disorder. Examining thinkers like Kant, Heidegger, and Husserl reveals the importance of the mind in understanding psychopathology.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Mind
- Psychopathology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The biological model is the dominant framework for understanding mental disorder.
- Opposing philosophical viewpoints have been marginalized.
- Philosophical inquiry into the nature of mind spans over 2500 years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To offer a philosophical antidote to biological reductionism in mental disorder.
- To explore the contributions of Kant, Heidegger, and Husserl to understanding psychopathology.
- To re-examine the assumptions of the biological model through a philosophical lens.
Main Methods:
- Critical analysis of the biological model of mental disorder.
- Examination of philosophical theories on the nature of mind and reality construction.
- Focus on the works of Immanuel Kant, Martin Heidegger, and Edmund Husserl.
Main Results:
- Philosophical theories emphasize the nature of the mental and the mind's role in constructing reality.
- The biological model's assumptions are challenged by philosophical perspectives.
- A philosophical approach offers insights into psychopathology beyond purely physiological aspects.
Conclusions:
- Philosophical perspectives provide a crucial counterpoint to biological reductionism in mental disorder.
- The emphasis on mental over physiological aspects is more relevant to therapeutic concerns.
- Integrating philosophical insights can enrich our understanding and treatment of mental disorders.