PHIL 316: Philosophy of Mental Illness

Course Description

A critical introduction to mental illness through a philosophically informed multidisciplinary approach. The course will focus on the subjective lived experience corresponding to psychiatric diagnostic categories, relying on work from philosophy, psychiatry, psychology, social work and the neurosciences. Readings will relate topics from the philosophy of science and psychiatry, the philosophy of the mind, and medical ethics to the symptoms of a variety of conditions (including but not limited to depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, autistic spectrum disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer’s disease). Students will acquire a humanistic, community-based, empathic understanding of psychiatric conditions and the conceptual tools required for formulating and implementing mandates of mental health justice and social inclusivity in their communities. (YR).