Thinking about hallucinations: why philosophy matters.
Sam Wilkinson, Huw Green, Stephanie Hare, Joseph Houlders, Clara Humpston, Benjamin Alderson-day
Cognitive neuropsychiatry January 1, 2022 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2021.2007067 via PubMed
Summary
Philosophy significantly enhances the understanding of hallucinations through three main areas: phenomenology offers insights into the lived experiences, philosophy of cognitive science supports overarching theorizing and critical engagement with new ideas, and philosophy of science and psychiatry raises important questions regarding diagnosis and categorization. These contributions highlight the methodological diversity within philosophy and its relevance to hallucinations research.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | Philosophy provides valuable insights into hallucinations research through phenomenology, cognitive science, and questions about diagnosis. |
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Abstract
Introduction: Hallucinations research is increasingly incorporating philosophy or the work of philosophically trained individuals. We present three different ways in which this is successfully implemented to the enhancement of knowledge and understanding of hallucinations and related phenomena.Method: We review contributions from phenomenology, philosophy of cognitive science, and philosophy of science and psychiatry.Results: We demonstrate that these areas of philosophy make significant contributions to hallucinations research. Phenomenology gives us a sophisticated and critical understanding of the lived experience of hallucinations. Philosophy of cognitive science enables big-picture theorising and synthesis of ideas, as well as a critical engagement with new paradigms. Philosophy of science and psychiatry raises valuable and theoretically informed questions about diagnosis and categorisation.Conclusions: These contributions reflect both the methodological variety within philosophy and its relevance to the hallucinations researcher.