Nature and Narrative: An Introduction to the New Philosophy of Psychiatry

Nature and Narrative is the launch volume in a new series of books entitled International Perspectives in Philosophy and Psychiatry. The series will aim to build links between the sciences and humanities in psychiatry. Our ability to decipher mental disorders depends to a unique extent on both the sciences and the humanities. Science provides insight into the 'causes' of a problem, enabling us to formulate an 'explanation', and the humanities provide insight into its 'meanings' and helps with our 'understanding'. Psychiatry, if it is to develop as a balanced discipline, must draw on input from both of these spheres. Nature (for causes) and Narrative (for meanings) will help define the series as a whole by touching on a range of issues relevant to this 'border country'. With contributions from an international star-studded cast, representing the field of psychiatry, psychology and philosophy, this volume will set the scene for this new interdisciplinary field. This will be of interest to all those with practical experience of mental health issues, whether as providers or as users/consumers of services, as well as to philosophers, social scientists, and bioethicists.

About the Author :
Bill Fulford, Department of Philosophy and Mental Health, University of Warwick, UK, Katherine Morris, Department of Philosophy, University of Oxford, UK, John Z. Sadler, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas, Dallas, USA, Giovanni Stanghellini, Department of Mental Health, University of Florence, Italy

Review :
"The essays as a whole are incisive and rigorous analyses that offer a fresh perspective, revealing that there is much to be considered in what for many of us in the mental health profession has become a matter of routine.... In summary, this is a challenging and fascinating work." --The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease "An excellent collection from thinkers in countries long steeped in philosophy, this book offers insight and intellectual challenge giving a broader context to the work we do with persons who experience mental suffering."--Doody's "The essays as a whole are incisive and rigorous analyses that offer a fresh perspective, revealing that there is much to be considered in what for many of us in the mental health profession has become a matter of routine.... In summary, this is a challenging and fascinating work." --The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease "An excellent collection from thinkers in countries long steeped in philosophy, this book offers insight and intellectual challenge giving a broader context to the work we do with persons who experience mental suffering."--Doody's "The essays as a whole are incisive and rigorous analyses that offer a fresh perspective, revealing that there is much to be considered in what for many of us in the mental health profession has become a matter of routine.... In summary, this is a challenging and fascinating work." --The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease "An excellent collection from thinkers in countries long steeped in philosophy, this book offers insight and intellectual challenge giving a broader context to the work we do with persons who experience mental suffering."--Doody's "The essays as a whole are incisive and rigorous analyses that offer a fresh perspective, revealing that there is much to be considered in what for many of us in the mental health profession has become a matter of routine.... In summary, this is a challenging and fascinating work." -- The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease "An excellent collection from thinkers in countries long steeped in philosophy, this book offers insight and intellectual challenge giving a broader context to the work we do with persons who experience mental suffering."--Doody's