EPA-1155 – Care and being-in-the-world: heidegger's philosophy and his implications for psychiatry

Abstract

Introduction Philosophy is one of the disciplines that can more adequately provide a contribution to the definition of the focus and limits of psychiatry in the definition of human being. Substantial, comprehensive contributions to this field come from Martin Heidegger, one of the most prominent and seminal philosophers of the 20 th century. Objectives/Aims During the 50's the Italian psychiatrist Franco Basaglia comes up with the philosophy of Martin Heidegger and he gains the concept of human being as’Being-in-the- world’, central point in every relationship with the others.’Being-in-the-world’ is not a merely spatial relation with ourselves and the others, but is the fundamental meaning of human existence and of the Care. The Care is not only a medical concept but also an ontological and ethical one: overcrossing the concept of empathy, Heidegger argues that all objectifying representations of a capsule-like psyche, subject, person, ego or consciousness in psychology and psychopathology must be abandoned in favor of a new understanding of human being, starting from its ontological characters:’Being-in-the-world’,’Being-with-the-others’ and’Being-toward-death’. Methods The comparison of Heidegger's philosophy and psychiatry on the ground of Care, as it emerges from 2 books, Being and Time and Zollikoner Seminars. Results The necessity of a philosophical approach to the issue of Care starting from a philosophical understanding of human being. Conclusions The theoretical aspects of Heidegger's philosophy are important instruments for the psychiatric work and for a new concept of Care.