Philosophy and Madness. Crystalline Clarifications: Radical Turns in the Natural Attitude to Life

In this article the relation between philosophy and madness is examined from both the perspective of phenomenological philosophy and psychiatry, and the narratives of those with a diagnosis of psychosis. Three theses are proposed: 1) a philosophical attitude towards psychotic experience yields more insightful, substantial descriptions of madness; 2) serious and consistent philosophical reasoning shows remarkable affinities and similarities with patterns in psychotic experience; 3) from madness proto-philosophical thought springs forward. In following the lines of intense mad ”hyper-reflexivity’ and perplexity we may discover a rich world of para-philosophy, one that corresponds to philosophical ideas driven by a less strained reflexivity and wonder. By examining the relation between philosophy and madness both parties may profit: psychotic experience may be further clarified and brought into easier relation with non-psychotic thought and practice, while philosophy may gain by widening its range of perspectives on reality and human subjectivity.