Considerazioni epistemologiche e antropologiche intorno alle discipline psichiatriche

The aim of this study is to explore the anthropological and epistemological foundations of current psychiatry. Starting from the topic of diagnosis, the following issues are investigated: what is currently understood by the prefix "bios" and the term "psyche"; which conception of man is implied by current practices; the ways in which conditions that were deemed pathological have manifested themselves and were influenced by culture throughout history; and finally, how a mental care system can intrerpret, carry out and be organised in relation to an institutional mandate. This study is focussed on understanding how an epistemological approach which seeks the location and causes of a mental disorder, and which finds its origin in a "centre", came to prevail. Despite its discoveries and solutions, this method of research ended up losing sight of the complexities inherent to the experience of insanity. Considering Foucalt's definition of man as a strange being inbetween empiricism and transcendence, we attempted to trace an initial framework within which psychiatry could try and operate and the methods that could be experimented with, in the context of mental care practices and analysis. Adopting a panoply of perspectives in place of the predominant discourse based on a "centre" is recommended. It is indeed believed that in the context of research within the humanities, the cooperation of various fields of study will lead to a more fuitful cognitive approach.