Emil Kraepelin and Walter Benjamin: distant contemporaries, diverse working methods, any resonance?

Abstract

The work methods of eminent psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin (1856–1926) and of literary and cultural critic Walter Benjamin (1892–1940) are described based on the literature describing their ways of working. Kraepelin’s approach of cross-sectional observation of symptoms and the longitudinal study of illness course in distinguishing ‘disease entities’ as well as his research strategy of investigating causes and correlates using methods of experimental psychology, pathology and neurobiology are described. Critical statements (on Kraepelin’s work) highlighting preconceived concepts, ideological positions and a lack of critical reflection are reported. Walter Benjamin’s use of citation and ‘collage’ in literary and cultural criticism, his use of the concepts of allegory, ‘figures of thought’ and ‘dialectical images’ is described. His theory of the past impacting on our understanding of present and immediate future is discussed. Benjamin’s thinking is centered around the concept of ‘experience’. The relevance of both scientists to current challenges is discussed referring to current psychiatric research and peer support, a key concept in discussions on mental health care. The paper argues that Kraepelin and Benjamin could be considered complementary in their approaches to mental health matters taking into account wider cultural contexts. (189 words)