Computational neurophenomenology meets MuSe : A Commentary on Şerife Tekin’s Reclaiming the self in psychiatry

A commentary on Şerife Tekin's book argues that computational neurophenomenology can complement the MuSe (Multidimensional Self in Experience) framework to address challenges of objectivity in psychiatry. The author proposes integrating mechanistic accounts of self-model dynamics with MuSe's focus on subjective experience, which would strengthen the scientific standing of subjective reports and expand the role of experience-based experts in psychiatric research. This integration offers epistemic advantages and extends MuSe in new directions by grounding its facets in underlying dynamics.

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Abstract

Şerife Tekin’s Reclaiming the Self in Psychiatry argues that mental distress and psychiatric disorder are best understood in relation to the self. This kind of approach confronts the Freud problem and the associated objectivity challenge. In this Commentary, I suggest a way of complementing MuSe that helps address both the Freud problem and the associated objectivity challenge. I argue that computational neurophenomenology can be naturally integrated with MuSe by providing mechanistic accounts of the dynamics underlying its distinct facets, articulated in terms of a self-model. This brings several epistemic advantages and may extend MuSe in novel directions. Because subjective experience plays a constitutive methodological role in computational neurophenomenology, this integration also strengthens the scientific standing of subjective reports within MuSe, and expands the role of MuSe’s experience-based experts in psychiatric research.