The Disunity of Consciousness in Psychiatric Disorders
Oxford Handbooks Online September 5, 2013 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199579563.013.0041 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe normal unity of consciousness may fragment or break down in psychiatric disorders. This chapter examines how different forms of unity of consciousness can be lost in conditions like multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, and depersonalization.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that the unity of consciousness can be disrupted in multiple ways across psychiatric disorders such as multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, and depersonalization, revealing different forms of unity rather than a single unified consciousness. |
Abstract
It is often said that the normal unity of consciousness fragments, and perhaps even breaks down entirely, in psychiatric disorders. This chapter examines ways in which the unity-or, better, unities-of consciousness might be lost in the context of psychiatric disorders, such as multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, and depersonalization.