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Review
. 2021 Apr;51(6):927-933.
doi: 10.1017/S0033291719002514. Epub 2019 Sep 24.

The levels problem in psychopathology

Markus I Eronen  1
Affiliations
Review

The levels problem in psychopathology

Markus I Eronen. Psychol Med. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Psychiatric disorders are studied at multiple levels, but there is no agreement on how these levels are related to each other, or how they should be understood in the first place. In this paper, I provide an account of levels and their relationships that is suited for psychopathology, drawing from recent debates in philosophy of science. Instead of metaphysical issues, the focus is on delivering an understanding of levels that is relevant and useful for scientific practice. I also defend a pragmatic approach to the question of reduction, arguing that even in-principle reductionists should embrace pluralism in practice. Finally, I discuss the benefits and challenges in integrating explanations and models of different levels.

Keywords: Integration; levels; pluralism; reduction; scale.

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