Philosophy

Recently, some researchers have proposed considering a new disorder for the DSM: "Maladaptive Daydreaming Disorder." What is it to have a disordered imagination, and to what extent is the concept of a disorder socially constructed or a question of natural scientific or statistical analysis? This interdisciplinary course will explore the philosophical relationships between categories of perception and imagination and how each contributes to our ability to grasp the world outside our minds as well as between categories of mental health and mental illness and how these are approached in different disciplines. Other topics might include hallucinations, delusions, mania, creativity, neurodivergence, the Mad Pride movement, mind-wandering and daydreaming. Students will be required to conduct independent research throughout the term and present on at least one topic of their choice.