[Philosophical principles of psychopathology]

Abstract

The relation between psychopathology and scientific philosophy will be specified. The fundamental precondition of psychopathological thinking and its issue is the feature of conscious experiencing. This is a structure of elements reciprocally requiring each other. Based on this approach it will be shown that an atomizing labelling of mental disorders must be rejected. The integral correlation of conscious living must be the criterion providing a verifiable structure of symptoms of mental disorders. A distinct conception of this structure and its elements is for example lacking in K. Jaspers' and K. Schneiders' approach. Orientation towards the structure of conscious living requires new investigations of old and discussions of new psychopathological topics.