Sat. 12/08/11 12:05 EDT
.post #232
[url=Game Theory, self interest, and praxeology - #20 by zefreak]
What effort are you making to challenge your beliefs?
Which of Szasz’s books have you read?
In the context of sensible speaking, writing, and talking, however, Szasz makes perfect sense.
A moment’s reflection on the proper and truthful use of language pretty strongly shows that Szasz - 1, psychobabble - 0.
[url=Game Theory, self interest, and praxeology - #22 by zefreak]
So, the expression “Hemispatial Neglect” refers to a symptom of brain damage.
I think Szasz would assert the simple fact that symptoms are not diseases.
I think Szasz would assert the simple fact that behavior can only be “diseased” in a metaphorical but not a literal sense.
I’m not sure it’s correct to call damage “illness” (although, it might be). For example, damage to the thumb, while impairing one’s ability to grasp certain objects, isn’t necessarily “disease” or “illness.” We might get all fancy and call the impairment of grasping ability “Semi-Pollical Neglect,” but all we’re doing is creating a fancy expression for the impaired utility of the hand due to thumb damage. It’s not a name for the thumb damage itself; that’s just called “thumb damage.”
One of the symptoms of brain damage is “Hemispatial Neglect,” or “delusions.”
Body organs (such as the brain) can be literally ill, diseased, or damaged;
behavior and symptoms cannot.
Behavior and symptoms can only be “ill,” “diseased,” or “damaged” in a metaphorical sense.