Rationality and Compulsion presents a unique examination of mental illness - derived from philosophical action theory. Delusion is common to many mental disorders, resulting in actions that, though perhaps rational to the individual, might seem entirely inappropriate or harmful to others. So what is it that causes these actions, and why do they continue? The theory expounded in this book shows how the key to this problem might be compulsion.This book presents a new analysis of the notion of compulsion - developed from action theory. The books starts with an introduction to action theory (for the benefit of non-philosophers). It then shows how insights from action theory can help us better understand mental illness, before developing an analysis of compulsion that emphasizes the element of unavoidability. The book argues that what is fundamentally disturbing to the person suffering from delusion is not so much the fact that the disorder tends to lead to irrational actions but rather the fact that he or she is unable to avoid performing these actions. The individual is or feels compelled to act in the way he or she does. The book contains some concrete illustrations of this idea as applied to several psychiatric diagnoses, such as paranoia, phobia, and psychopathy.Rationality and Compulsion is a highly original new work from a leading figure in the philosophy and psychiatry movement. It will advance our understanding of mental illness, and be valuable for psychiatrists, psychologists, as well as philosophers.

Action Theory, Rationality and Compulsion (International Perspectives in Philosophy and Psychiatry)

Medical Books

Nordenfelt, Lennart

Medicine

Oxford University Press

GENERAL INTRODUCTION This study of the concept of health is an attempt to combine central ideas in modern philosophy of medicine with certain results from analytical action theory. What emerges from the study is a concept of health based on an action-theoretic foundation. A person's health is characterized as his ability to achieve his vital goals. The general conception is not new. This study has been inspired by a number of scholars, both ancient and modern. The most important influences from the latter have been those of Georges Canguilhem, H. Tristram Engelhardt Jr. , Caroline Whitbeck and Ingmar Pörn. The novel aspect of this book consists of elaborations made to the general conception. First, the action-theoretic platform is analysed in some detail. The nature of the ability involved, as well as the conditions for having that ability, are specified. Second, the vital goals of man are given considerable attention. Some previous attempts to define such vital goals are analysed and criticized. A new characterization is proposed, in which the vital goals are conceptually linked to the notion of happiness. A person's vital goals are such states of affairs as are necessary and together sufficient for his minimal happiness. Third, a number of consequences of this con ception are observed and analysed. One issue which is particularly empha sized is that ofwhether the concept ofhealth is a theoretical or a normative concept.

On the Nature of Health: An Action-Theoretic Approach (Philosophy and Medicine)

Health, Fitness & Dieting

D. Reidel Publishing Company

Scientists within human and animal science have extensively discussed the philosophy of medicine, but never have both sides communicated on their concepts of health, quality of life and welfare, with each other. This book aims to help clarify the difficult but central notions of health and welfare by comparing the human and animal variants of these concepts. Split into three parts, this book starts by presenting a background of some of the major theories of human health and welfare, followed by a detailed discussion of theories on animal welfare and health. While the final part of the book tests a comprehensive conceptual framework of a holistic kind, which focuses on the individual's ability to achieve its vital goals.

Animal and Human Health and Welfare: A Comparative Philosophical Analysis

Politics & Social Sciences

Philosophy

CABI

This book is a contribution to the current philosophical discussion on the nature of health and illness. It contains a comparative analysis and reevaluation of four influential contemporary theories in this field. These are the biostatistical theory of Christopher Boorse which represents the mainstream thinking in medicine, and three versions of a holistic and normative understanding of health and illness which are the theories of Lawrie Reznek, K. W. M. Fulford, and Lennart Nordenfelt. In this unusual volume of assessment, Nordenfelt critically reexamines his own theory, and George Khushf and K. W. M. Fulford contribute critical responses.

Health, Science, and Ordinary Language (Value Inquiry)

Science & Math

Fulford, K. W. M.

Khushf, George

History & Philosophy

Brill/Rodopi

This book contains a systematic analysis of the notion of work ability. The analysis is particularly focused on the following three contexts: medical insurance, training for a vocation or a profession and evaluation of a job seeker. The first part of the book presents and briefly analyzes some methods and instruments designed for characterizing and assessing work ability. The second part gives a theoretical foundation for the analysis of work ability. Here the author presents an original taxonomy of competencies and other qualifications for work and proposes a new definition of work ability. The third part is devoted to the issue of work ability and its relation to medical conditions. In addition to a description of certain legislations in the medico-insurance field, this part of the book contains a substantial analysis of the notion of disease and an attempt to determine whether there is a viable notion of disease that can answer the demands of objectivity raised by offices of social insurance.

The Concept of Work Ability

Sociology

P.I.E-Peter Lang S.A., Éditions Scientifiques Internationales

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Books by Nordenfelt, Lennart