Philosophy of Psychopharmacology

by Stein, Dan J., M.d., Ph.d.

• ISBN13: 9781107402959
• ISBN10: 1107402956
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-08-11
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

Psychotropic agents have been effective for the treatment of the emotional, and cognitive symptoms of serious psychiatric disorders. At the same time, the availability of such agents raises questions about the appropriate use of what might be termed 'smart pills', 'happy pills', or 'pep pills'. This volume argues that developments in modern psychopharmacology raise a range of important philosophical questions, and may ultimately change the way we think about ourselves. It provides a framework for addressing important philosophical issues in psychiatry and psychopharmacology. The approach is a naturalistic one, drawing on theory and data from modern cognitive-affective neuroscience and attempts to address objective and subjective aspects of psychiatric disorders, to integrate our knowledge of mechanisms and meanings, and to provide a balanced view of the good and the bad of psychotropics.

Table of Contents

Psychopharmacology - a remarkable development

Philosophical questions raised by psychopharmacology

How to think about science, language, and medicine: classical, critical, and integrated perspectives

Conceptual questions about psychotropics

Explanatory questions about psychotropics

Moral questions about psychotropics

Conclusion

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