title: [Basic problems in psychiatry].
abstract: The mind-body problem is the basis for discussing the fundamental problems of psychiatry. It is shown in this article that the inextricability of the mind-body problem is essentially conditioned by (apart from other factors) the (non-permissible) equating of philosophical and empirical propositions: psychic or mental = mind and somatic = soma or body. It is an essential fact, as far as psychiatry is concerned, that as a result of this non-permissible equating of the two concepts the mental and somatic "areas" are not differentiated further, which, in turn, leads to the well-known controversies. The consequences of unsatisfactory methodical reflection are illustrated by means of the concept "endogenous"; such insufficient reflection is also involved in the inadequate attempts to humanise medicine or to treat patients in a more humane way.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrische Univ.-Klinik, Freiburg i.Br.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Degkwitz
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008606:Mental Processes; D010684:Philosophy; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*
vernacular_title: Grundfragen der Psychiatrie.