Abstract
On what I will call a rationalist approach to delusion, delusion is a matter of top-down disturbance in some fundamental beliefs of the subject, which may consequently affect experiences and actions. On an empiricist approach, in contrast, delusion is a rational response to highly unusual experiences that the subject has, perhaps as a result of organic damage. Ellis and Young (1990) recently provided an empiricist analysis of the Capgras and Cotard delusions. I want to begin with some remarks on just why it is important to the empiricist approach that it should acknowledge the rationality of the subject's delusional responses to unusual stimuli. We will see that when the rationale for the rationality constraint is fully set out, it is questionable whether Ellis and Young's approach actually succeeds in giving its place to the rationality constraint. In conclusion, I will look briefly at the prospects for a rationalist approach and at what other approaches might be possible.
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