Philosophy of psychopathology

Abstract

Purpose of review: Psychiatry is increasingly aware of its own conceptual foundations and the role that philosophy plays in shaping research and practice. This growing awareness is especially prominent in the area of psychopathology, where both philosophers and psychiatrists are actively investigating the basic assumptions and values that influence the science.

Recent findings: There is growing attention to the role of values in understanding both the concepts of psychopathology, and the philosophical assumptions that underlie research strategies for studying it. Provocative work is being done to clarify the concept of 'mental disorder', to identify the influence of values in the classification and diagnosis of psychopathology, and to use values to argue for comprehensive research efforts. Psychometricians increasingly question the interplay between the philosophical theory and empirical study of psychopathology.

Summary: Both epistemology and value theory are central to the conceptualization and research of psychopathology. This prominence is recognized not only by philosophers and psychiatrists interested in philosophy, but by investigators who must grapple with the mutual influence of philosophical concepts and research methods. By making our philosophical views explicit and maintaining our awareness of them, we are well poised to develop and question both our philosophical and our research methods in meaningful ways.