Alien Landscapes? : Interpreting Disordered Minds Interpreting Disordered Minds

We have made huge progress in understanding the biology of mental illnesses, but comparatively little in interpreting them at the psychological level. The eminent philosopher Jonathan Glover believes that there is real hope of progress in the human interpretation of disordered minds. The challenge is that the inner worlds of people with psychiatric disorders can seem strange, like alien landscapes, and this strangeness can deter attempts at understanding. Do people with disorders share enough psychology with other people to make interpretation possible? To explore this question, Glover tackles the hard cases--the inner worlds of hospitalized violent criminals, of people with delusions, and of those diagnosed with autism or schizophrenia. Their first-person accounts offer glimpses of inner worlds behind apparently bizarre psychiatric conditions and allow us to begin to learn the "language" used to express psychiatric disturbance. Art by psychiatric patients, or by such complex figures as van Gogh and William Blake, give insight when interpreted from Glover's unique perspective. He also draws on dark chapters in psychiatry's past to show the importance of not medicalizing behavior that merely transgresses social norms. And finally, Glover suggests values, especially those linked with agency and identity, to guide how the boundaries of psychiatry should be drawn. Seamlessly blending philosophy, science, literature, and art, Alien Landscapes? is both a sustained defense of humanistic psychological interpretation and a compelling example of the rich and generous approach to mental life for which it argues. We Have Made Huge Progress In Understanding The Biology Of Mental Illnesses, But Comparatively Little In Interpreting Them At The Psychological Level. The Eminent Philosopher Jonathan Glover Believes That There Is Real Hope Of Progress In The Human Interpretation Of Disordered Minds. The Challenge Is That The Inner Worlds Of People With Psychiatric Disorders Can Seem Strange, Like Alien Landscapes, And This Strangeness Can Deter Attempts At Understanding. Do People With Disorders Share Enough Psychology With Other People To Make Interpretation Possible? To Explore This Question, Glover Tackles The Hard Cases--the Inner Worlds Of Hospitalized Violent Criminals, Of People With Delusions, And Of Those Diagnosed With Autism Or Schizophrenia. Their First-person Accounts Offer Glimpses Of Inner Worlds Behind Apparently Bizarre Psychiatric Conditions And Allow Us To Begin To Learn The Language Used To Express Psychiatric Disturbance. Art By Psychiatric Patients, Or By Such Complex Figures As Van Gogh And William Blake, Give Insight When Interpreted From Glover's Unique Perspective. He Also Draws On Dark Chapters In Psychiatry's Past To Show The Importance Of Not Medicalizing Behavior That Merely Transgresses Social Norms. And Finally, Glover Suggests Values, Especially Those Linked With Agency And Identity, To Guide How The Boundaries Of Psychiatry Should Be Drawn. -- Publisher's Description. Antisocial Personality, Values, Psychiatry -- Socratic Questions In Broadmoor -- The Contours Of A Moral Landscape -- Childhood And After -- Interpreting This Landscape -- Shakespeare Comes To Broadmoor -- On Human Interpretation -- Hopes For The Future Of Psychiatry -- A Skill So Deeply Hidden In The Human Soul -- Intuitive Interpretation -- Reflective Interpretation -- Human Interpretation In Psychiatry -- A Gulf Which Defies Description -- Autism And Interpretation -- Interpreting Delusions -- Waking Dreams -- The Boundaries Of Psychiatry -- The Need For Boundaries -- Personality And Sexuality -- Dysfunction? -- Harm -- What Is Autism? -- Crossing The Medical Boundary? -- Strands In A Good Human Life -- Agency, Control, And Responsibility -- Brain, Mind, And Agency -- Psychiatric Conditions And The Framework Of Responsibility -- What Is Addiction? -- Unwilling Addiction As Diminished Control -- Character, Personality Disorder, And Responsibility -- Identity -- The Sense Of Self -- Moral Identity And Moral Injury -- Psychotherapy, Autonomy, And Self-creation -- Entrapment In Eating Disorders -- Authenticity And Identity In Eating Disorders -- Dementia, Responsibility, And Identity -- Schizophrenia -- Self-creation, Values, And Psychiatric Disorder -- Epilogue. Jonathan Glover. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. We have made huge progress in understanding the biology of mental illnesses, but comparatively little in interpreting them at the psychological level. The eminent philosopher Jonathan Glover believes that there is real hope of progress in the human interpretation of disordered minds.00The challenge is that the inner worlds of people with psychiatric disorders can seem strange, like alien landscapes, and this strangeness can deter attempts at understanding. Do people with disorders share enough psychology with other people to make interpretation possible? To explore this question, Glover tackles the hard cases—the inner worlds of hospitalized violent criminals, of people with delusions, and of those diagnosed with autism or schizophrenia. Their first-person accounts offer glimpses of inner worlds behind apparently bizarre psychiatric conditions and allow us to begin to learn the “language” used to express psychiatric disturbance. Art by psychiatric patients, or by such complex figures as van Gogh and William Blake, give insight when interpreted from Glover’s unique perspective. He also draws on dark chapters in psychiatry’s past to show the importance of not medicalizing behavior that merely transgresses social norms. And finally, Glover suggests values, especially those linked with agency and identity, to guide how the boundaries of psychiatry should be drawn.00Seamlessly blending philosophy, science, literature, and art, Alien Landscapes? is both a sustained defense of humanistic psychological interpretation and a compelling example of the rich and generous approach to mental life for which it argues

Do people with mental disorders share enough psychology with other people to make human interpretation possible? Jonathan Glover tackles the hard cases—violent criminals, people with delusions, autism, schizophrenia—to answer affirmatively. He offers values linked with agency and identity to guide how the boundaries of psychiatry should be drawn.