Citation

Hughes JC. Integr. Psychiatry 1993; 9(2): 86-91.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper, with the benefit of recent biographies, outlines some of the many connections between the philosopher Wittgenstein and medicine, in particular psychiatry. Wittgenstein was often plagued by periods of lowness of mood and contemplated suicide. Predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors for his dysphoria are considered from social, psychological, and biological points of view. It appears that his philosophy offers some therapeutic hope by analogy with psychoanalysis. Whilst outlining biographical details, this paper aims to stimulate interest in the pertinence of Wittgenstein's philosophy to psychiatry.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; suicide; Suicide; male; case report; mood; article; psychoanalysis; disease predisposition; social psychology; Philosophy; dysphoria; Mental illness; Psychoanalysis; Dysphoria; Over-view