A metaphysics of psychopathology [electronic resource] / Peter Zachar.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: psychiatry, science wars, and the problem of realism -- A scientifically-inspired pragmatism -- Instrumental nominalism -- Psychological and scientific essentialism -- Misplaced literalism -- Literalism and the distrust of authority -- The objective within, not beyond, experience -- Classification and the concept of psychiatric disorder -- Four conceptual abstractions: natural kind, historical concept, normative concept and practical kind -- Can grief really be a disorder? -- Is narcissistic personality disorder real? -- Psychiatry, progress, and thinking philosophically about philosophical concepts.

Description based on print version record.