Ian Gold1. 1. Department of Philosophy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. ian.gold@mcgill.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the doctrine of reductionism in psychiatry. METHOD: A selective review of the literature. RESULTS: Two arguments offered in support of reduction in psychiatry are presented and found to be unsatisfactory. An argument supporting skepticism about reduction is described. CONCLUSION: Currently, there is little reason to think that any significant portion of psychiatric theory will be reduced to neuroscience or genetics.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the doctrine of reductionism in psychiatry. METHOD: A selective review of the literature. RESULTS: Two arguments offered in support of reduction in psychiatry are presented and found to be unsatisfactory. An argument supporting skepticism about reduction is described. CONCLUSION: Currently, there is little reason to think that any significant portion of psychiatric theory will be reduced to neuroscience or genetics.