Rationality and Compulsion by Lennart Nordenfelt
Rationality and Compulsion presents a unique examination of mental illness - derived from philosophical action theory. Delusion is common to many mental disorders, resulting in actions that, though perhaps rational to the individual, might seem entirely inappropriate or harmful to others. So what is it that causes these actions, and why do they continue? The theory expounded in this book shows how the key to this problem might be compulsion. This book presents a new analysis of the notion of compulsion - developed from action theory. The books starts with an introduction to action theory (for the benefit of non-philosophers). It then shows how insights from action theory can help us better understand mental illness, before developing an analysis of compulsion that emphasizes the element of unavoidability. The book argues that what is fundamentally disturbing to the person suffering from delusion is not so much the fact that the disorder tends to lead to irrational actions but rather the fact that he or she is unable to avoid performing these actions. The individual is or feels compelled to act in the way he or she does. The book contains some concrete illustrations of this idea as applied to several psychiatric diagnoses, such as paranoia, phobia, and psychopathy. Rationality and Compulsion is a highly original new work from a leading figure in the philosophy and psychiatry movement. It will advance our understanding of mental illness, and be valuable for psychiatrists, psychologists, as well as philosophers.
Nodenfelt's book is a worthwhile contribution to important issues in the philosophy of psychiatry* Thomas Schramme, University of Swansea *
The Author: Lennart Nordenfelt took his Ph.D. in Theoretical Philosophy at Uppsala, Sweden, 1974. From 1978 and onwards Nordenfelt has devoted himself to research in the philosophy of medicine and health care. He was appointed Associate Professor at the transdisciplinary faculty of themes at Linkü¾¦˜¼ping University in 1982. He initiated there a research programme under the title Theory, Ethics, and Ideology of Health Care which is still running. He became a full professor in 1987.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780199214853 |
| ISBN 10 | 0199214859 |
| Title | Rationality and Compulsion |
| Author | Lennart Nordenfelt |
| Series | International Perspectives In Philosophy And Psychiatry |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Year published | 2007-06-21 |
| Number of pages | 224 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |