Why Delusions Matter
Published on 10. August 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
200 pages
978-1-350-16329-4 (ISBN)
Description
A 2024 Choice Outstanding Academic Title
When we talk about delusions we may refer to symptoms of mental health problems, such as clinical delusions in schizophrenia, or simply the beliefs that people cling to which are implausible and resistant to counterevidence; these can include anything from beliefs about the benefits of homeopathy to concerns about the threat of alien abduction.
Why do people adopt delusional beliefs and why are they so reluctant to part with them? In Why Delusions Matter, Lisa Bortolotti explains what delusions really are and argues that, despite their negative reputation, they can also play a positive role in people's lives, imposing some meaning on adverse experiences and strengthening personal or social identities. In a clear and accessible style, Bortolotti contributes to the growing research on the philosophy of the cognitive sciences, offering a novel and nuanced view of delusions.
When we talk about delusions we may refer to symptoms of mental health problems, such as clinical delusions in schizophrenia, or simply the beliefs that people cling to which are implausible and resistant to counterevidence; these can include anything from beliefs about the benefits of homeopathy to concerns about the threat of alien abduction.
Why do people adopt delusional beliefs and why are they so reluctant to part with them? In Why Delusions Matter, Lisa Bortolotti explains what delusions really are and argues that, despite their negative reputation, they can also play a positive role in people's lives, imposing some meaning on adverse experiences and strengthening personal or social identities. In a clear and accessible style, Bortolotti contributes to the growing research on the philosophy of the cognitive sciences, offering a novel and nuanced view of delusions.
Reviews / Votes
Can we understand the reasons why people believe 'irrational' things? Lisa Bortolotti's new book makes a helpful contribution to this task ... her book consists of carefully considered distinctions and definitions which enable us to focus on the issues more clearly. * Process North * Why Delusions Matter is an incredible contribution to the philosophy of delusions by the foremost scholar in the field. Bortolotti stresses the continuity of beliefs in clinical and non-clinical contexts, and how we and society should seek to understand the meaning behind delusions and to open up a space of meaning when beliefs are shared. * Matthew Broome, Director of the Institute for Mental Health and Chair in Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health, University of Birmingham, UK * Lisa Bortolotti's masterful book, Why Delusions Matter, not only provides a concise, current synthesis of the vast philosophical literature on delusions, but also sets out a compelling argument for her signature view that delusions can be purposeful, not pathological. * Justin Garson, Professor of Philosophy, Hunter College and The Graduate Center, USA *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 214 mm
Width: 138 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
265 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-16329-4 (9781350163294)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Lisa Bortolotti
Why Delusions Matter
E-Book
07/2023
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€22.99
Available for download
Lisa Bortolotti
Why Delusions Matter
E-Book
07/2023
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€22.99
Available for download
Person
Lisa Bortolotti is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Birmingham (UK). She works in the philosophy of psychology and psychiatry. She is the author of Delusions and Other Irrational Beliefs (2009), which was awarded the American Philosophical Association Biannual Book Prize, Irrationality (2014) and The Epistemic Innocence of Irrational Beliefs (2020).
Content
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part I
1. Delusions as Investments
2. Delusions and the World
3. Delusions and Evidence
4. Delusions and Identity
Part II
5. Delusions and Dysfunction
6. Delusions and Harm
7. Delusions and Meaning
8. Delusions and Agency
Bibliography
Introduction
Part I
1. Delusions as Investments
2. Delusions and the World
3. Delusions and Evidence
4. Delusions and Identity
Part II
5. Delusions and Dysfunction
6. Delusions and Harm
7. Delusions and Meaning
8. Delusions and Agency
Bibliography