Natural Dualism and Mental Disorder: The Biocognitive Model for Psychiatry

This book presents an integrative, dualist model of mental disorder for psychiatry, building on the work of Descartes, Boole, Turing, and Shannon to construct a radically new concept of the mind as a real, informational space that can malfunction. It is written for medical students and recent graduates, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and anybody with an interest in human affairs.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book presents a comprehensive and dualistic model of mental disorder for psychiatry, offering a departure from the prevailing biomedical approach that currently dominates the field. It begins with the humanist notion that mental disorders are genuine, employing a computational approach to construct a truly bio-psycho-social model. This model demonstrates that mental disorders primarily stem from psychological factors rather than biological ones.

The historical backdrop spans from Descartes to revolutionary thinkers who have shaped modern society. It builds upon the work of George Boole, Alan Turing, and Claude Shannon to develop a novel concept of the mind as a real, informational space that can malfunction, both for better and for worse. This idea is extended to construct models of personality, personality disorders, and ultimately mental disorders.

The concepts are tested against various themes from other fields to demonstrate their generality. This work, rooted in the philosophy of science and mind, represents a significant departure from the past in psychiatry. Its primary purpose is to provide a formal, articulated model of mental disorder to address the theoretical gap at the heart of modern psychiatry. Written for medical students, recent graduates, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and anyone with an interest in human affairs, including philosophy, politics, and related fields, this book offers valuable insights into the complexities of mental health.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032025322