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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Journal | Volume | Article

145235

P. Kouba, The phenomenon of mental disorder

Anthony Fernandez

pp. 145-150

Abstract

In his book, The Phenomenon of Mental Disorder, Petr Kouba sets out to achieve three aims: (1) to articulate Martin Heidegger’s understanding of mental disorders; (2) to elucidate the work of Heideggerian psychiatrists (primarily Ludwig Binswanger and Medard Boss), clarifying their relation to Heidegger’s own project; and (3) to propose a new Heideggerian approach to psychopathology based in Heidegger’s later thought. Regarding the first and second aims, Kouba succeeds in illuminating the work of these figures, offering some of the most insightful analyses and criticisms of their work available today. Regarding the third aim, I have some reservations—as much about its clarity as its success—which I address in the concluding section.

Publication details

Published in:

(2017) Human Studies 40 (1).

Pages: 145-150

DOI: 10.1007/s10746-016-9409-1

Full citation:

Fernandez Anthony (2017) „P. Kouba, The phenomenon of mental disorder“. Human Studies 40 (1), 145–150.