Overview

"""Psychiatry and Philosophy of Science"" explores conceptual issues in psychiatry from the perspective of analytic philosophy of science. Through an examination of those features of psychiatry that distinguish it from other sciences - for example, its contested subject matter, its particular modes of explanation, its multiple different theoretical frameworks, and its research links with big business - Rachel Cooper explores some of the many conceptual, metaphysical and epistemological issues that arise in psychiatry. She shows how these pose interesting challenges for the philosopher of science while also showing how ideas from the philosophy of science can help to solve conceptual problems within psychiatry. Cooper's discussion ranges over such topics as the nature of mental illnesses, the treatment decisions and diagnostic categories of psychiatry, the case-history as a form of explanation, how psychiatry might be value-laden, the claim that psychiatry is a multi-paradigm science, the distortion of psychiatric research by pharmaceutical industries, as well as engaging with the fundamental question whether the mind is reducible to something at the physical level. ""Psychiatry and Philosophy of Science"" demonstrates that cross-disciplinary contact between philosophy of science and psychiatry can be immensely productive for both subjects and it will be required reading for mental health professionals and philosophers alike."

Full Product Details

Author:   Rachel Cooper
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Acumen Publishing Ltd
Weight:   0.453kg
ISBN:  

9781844651078

ISBN 10:   184465107
Pages:   240
Publication Date:   27 November 2007
Audience:   College/higher education ,  General/trade ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 1. Introduction: psychiatry and philosophy of science 2. The nature of mental illness I: is mental illness a myth? 3. The nature of mental illness II: if mental disorders exist, what are they? 4. Explanations in psychiatry I: natural-history based explanations 5. Explanations in psychiatry II: individual case histories 6. Relations between theories I: when paradigms meet 7. Relations between theories II: reductionisms 8. Managing values and interests I: psychiatry as a value-laden science 9. Managing values and interests II: big business and judging treatments 10. Conclusion Notes Further Reading References Index

Reviews

An excellent resource for undergraduate students in philosophy, in the sciences or in medicine, but also for more advanced scholars who will appreciate the sophisticated appraisal of methods, theories and practices in psychiatry. - Mind A significant contribution to the burgeoning literature on the philosophy of psychiatry and deserves to be widely read. - Analysis Reviews This book shows the relevance of 'good sense' analytic philosophy to psychiatric research and practice. It would make an excellent and thought-provoking introduction to those interested in exploring the fruitful interface between psychiatry and the philosophy of science. - Psychological Medicine An excellent book, written in a clear, unadorned style. Cooper has a real knack for arranging and then summarizing complex philosophical positions with brevity and perspicuity. A splendid text for second- and third-year undergraduates.A - Jennifer Radden, editor of The Philosophy of Psychiatry: A Companion

Author Information

Rachel Cooper is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Lancaster.

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