Unconscious Knowing and Other Essays in Psycho-Philosophical Analysis

Unconscious Knowing and Other Essays in Psycho-Philosophical Analysis
Author: Linda Brakel
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 184
Release: 2010-06-17
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0199581479

In 'Unconscious Knowing and Other Essays in Psycho-Philosophical Analysis', Linda Brakel tackles a range of fascinating and puzzling phenomena that lie at the border between psychoanalysis and philosophy of mind. These include - unconscious knowing, vagueness, agency, the placebo effect, and even explanation itself. Unique in its use of tools and concepts from both philosophy and psychoanalysis, the book demonstrates how this interdisciplinary approach can provide some unique solutions to some impenetrable problems. Following the introduction, chapter two on 'unconscious knowing' puts forward a radical epistemological view of knowledge and belief, providing evidence from psychoanalytic data and empirical research, using the subliminal method. Chapter three considers philosophical accounts of vagueness in relation to a-rational mentation, finding surprising similarities. In Chapter four, an original account of agency is developed whilst discovering that a central problem for analysands is quite analogous to an important philosophical problem: namely, when I am concerned with my own survival, just what is the nature of the 'me' of concern? In Chapter five the mysterious placebo effect is made more understandable in terms of the basic psychoanalytic concepts that are shown to underlie it. Finally, chapter six concludes the book with an examination of explanations in general, including those in the proceeding chapters. This is a book that will be of great interest to those within both psychoanalysis and philosophy of mind, offering up some compelling explanations for some puzzling phenomena.

Psychoanalysis and Philosophy of Mind

Psychoanalysis and Philosophy of Mind
Author: Simon Boag
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 247
Release: 2018-05-08
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0429917732

Of the topics found in psychoanalytic theory it is Freud's philosophy of mind that is at once the most contentious and enduring. Psychoanalytic theory makes bold claims about the significance of unconscious mental processes and the wish-fulfilling activity of the mind, citing their importance for understanding the nature of dreams and explaining both normal and pathological behaviour. However, since Freud's initial work, both modern psychology and philosophy have had much to say about the merits of Freudian thinking. Developments in psychology, philosophy, and psychoanalysis raise new challenges and questions concerning Freud's theory of mind. This book addresses the psychoanalytic concept of mind in the 21st century via a joint scientific and philosophical appraisal of psychoanalytic theory. It provides a fresh critical appraisal and reflection on Freudian concepts, as well as addressing how current evidence and scientific thinking bear upon Freudian theory. The book centres upon the major concepts in psychoanalysis, including the notion of unconscious mental processes and wish-fulfilment and their relationship to dreams, fantasy, attachment processes, and neuroscience.

Knowing Emotions

Knowing Emotions
Author: Rick Anthony Furtak
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 249
Release: 2018
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 019049204X

In Knowing Emotions, Furtak argues that it is only through the emotions that we can perceive meaning in life, and only by feeling emotions that we are able to recognize the value or significance of anything whatsoever. Our affective responses and dispositions therefore play a critical role in human existence, and their felt quality is intimately related to the awareness they provide.

Philosophy, Science, and Psychoanalysis

Philosophy, Science, and Psychoanalysis
Author: Simon Boag
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 469
Release: 2018-05-15
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0429917279

The perennial interest in psychoanalysis shows no signs of abating and the longevity of psychoanalytic theory is seen in the varied extensions and elaborations of Freudian thinking in the fields of neuroscience and cognitive theory. Nevertheless, the scientific standing of psychoanalysis has long been questioned and developments in the fields of the philosophy of science and psychology require a fresh assessment of the scientific standing of psychoanalysis. While there are a range of views on the topic of whether psychoanalysis is in fact scientific, any satisfactory approach to understanding mind and behaviour requires an approach that is at once both philosophic and scientific. Accordingly, to even approach the question regarding the scientific nature of psychoanalysis, a foundation comprising a sophisticated conceptual and philosophical framework is required. This volume represents the junction where philosophy, science, and psychoanalysis meet and presents arguments critical and supportive of the scientific standing of psychoanalysis.

The Macabresque

The Macabresque
Author: Edward Weisband
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 481
Release: 2018
Genre: History
ISBN: 0190677880

Studies of genocide and mass atrocity most often focus on their causes and consequences, their aims and effects, and the number of people killed. But if the main goal is death, why is torture necessary? By understanding how and why mass violence occurs and the reasons for its variations, The Macabresque aims to explain why so many seemingly normal or "ordinary" people participate in mass atrocity across cultures and why such egregious violence occurs repeatedly through history.

Diagnostic Dilemmas in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Diagnostic Dilemmas in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Author: Christian David Perring
Publisher: Oxford University Press (UK)
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2014
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0199645752

Within child and adolescent psychiatry, there are a number of potential dilemmas pertaining to diagnosis, treatment, the protection of the child, as well as the child's own developing intelligence and moral judgement. Diagnostic Dilemmas in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is the first in the IPPP series to explore this highly complex topic.

Anatomy of an Avatar

Anatomy of an Avatar
Author: Philip Gerrans
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2024-08-26
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0198886659

This book applies a powerful framework in computational neuroscience (predictive coding and active inference) to explain psychiatric disorders that are characterised by pathologies of self-awareness. It shows how the self is best conceived of as an avatar or model made by the brain for the fundamental purpose of optimising basic bodily function. That avatar integrates and coordinates neurocomputation across the mind. It allows the mind to anticipate and respond to sensory information that bears on the organism’s prospects. The self is thus a model (avatar) made by the brain to allow the body to play the game of life. When activity in circuitry that implements the avatar is compromised a variety of psychiatric disorders result. Anatomy of an Avatar provides a theoretical framework for theories of embodied selfhood anchored in homoestatic regulation, as well as exploring psychiatric disorders involving the self and the empirical application of concepts of free energy minimisation, active inference and predictive processing. The book also includes key case studies in the cognitive neuropsychiatry of self awareness and test cases for philosophical concepts of self representation and the experience of self awareness. The book will be essential reading for those in the fields of psychology and consciousness, psychiatry, and philosophy.

Psychiatric Neuroethics

Psychiatric Neuroethics
Author: Walter Glannon
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 409
Release: 2019
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0198758855

Advances in psychiatric research and clinical psychiatry in the last 30 years have given rise to new questions that lie at the intersection of psychiatry, neuroscience, philosophy and law. Bringing these topics together for the first time, this book explores the medical and philosophical implications of neuroscience in the mental health field.

Recovery of People with Mental Illness

Recovery of People with Mental Illness
Author: Abraham Rudnick
Publisher: International Perspectives in
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2012-08-30
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0199691312

It is only in the past 20 years that the concept of 'recovery' from mental health has been more widely considered and researched. This book is unique in addressing philosophical issues - including conceptual challenges and opportunities - raised by the notion of recovery of people with mental illness.