Why depression feels bad
Advances in Consciousness Research October 28, 2010 DOI: 10.1075/aicr.79.23sol (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Depression |
| Key points | Argues that conscious feelings are causally integrated with brain processes, having evolved for biological reasons, and that the unpleasantness of depression may reflect such a functional role. |
Abstract
We believe that conscious mental phenomena (such as feelings) are not epiphenomenal to the workings of the brain. Feelings evolved for good biological reasons; they make specific, concrete contributions to brain functioning. Notwithstanding all the philosophical complexities, therefore, the non-conscious/conscious interactions that are the focus of this book are, in our view, causal interactions. To marginalize consciousness in relation to what is ultimately a cdualistic scientific understanding of how the brain works is likely to lead us astray. We illustrate this view by trying to address the question: why does depression feel bad?