Il delirio: prospettive fenomenologiche a confronto

How to apprehend that which is ineffable? This research proposes a historical-conceptual study of the category of delusion, defined from its beginnings by Karl Jaspers as an 'ineffable entity'. The study begins with a reconstruction of the historical debate on this topic as it developed in Europe in 19th and 20th century Europe. Here, the objective is to trace the reflections of Karl Jaspers, Ludwig Binswanger, and Eugène Minkowski, three forefathers of the phenomenological tradition. The salient points of present-day research on delusion are subsequently explored, with a focus on the work of Louis A. Sass, Shaun Gallagher and Matthew Ratcliffe, scholars who belong to the contemporary current of Phenomenological Renaissance . Our study charts the contributions of the three authors, as they develop an ontological analysis aimed at finding a definition that makes delusion intelligible as a mental condition. In so doing, continuities and discontinuities between the early founding contributions of psychiatric phenomenology, and contemporary research are highlighted. The conclusive chapter is devoted to the work of Henri Grivois (1933-2021). Grivois is recognised for having developed a coherent and innovative theoretical approach to delusion. An eclectic clinician, he developed a practice of the encounter and contact between dissimilar minds – that of the psychiatrist and that of the psychotic patient. Drawing on his experience in the emergency service of the hospital Hôtel-Dieu (Paris), Grivois proposed a definition of psychosis and a clinical method of early intervention. Grivois is recognised for having developed a coherent and innovative theoretical approach. Although the history of phenomenology cannot claim a unified and homogeneous trajectory from its origins to present-day investigation and practice, the hermeneutic field of its conceptual itineraries has produced a complex array of analytical tools. The present work is devoted to the presentation of these tools.

Come comprendere l’incomprensibile? La presente ricerca bibliografica propone uno studio storico-concettuale della categoria di delirio, definito fin dagli albori da Karl Jaspers come “ente ineffabile”. Il lavoro si occupa di ricostruire il dibattito storico dell’Europa del XIX e XX secolo, percorrendo le riflessioni di Karl Jaspers, Ludwig Binswanger e Eugène Minkowski, tre capostipiti della tradizione fenomenologica. Prosegue mettendo in luce i nodi salienti degli studi contemporanei di Louis A. Sass, Shaun Gallagher e Matthew Ratcliffe, ricercatori appartenenti alla cosiddetta corrente contemporanea del Rinascimento Fenomenologico . I loro contributi dipanano un’analisi ontologica volta a trovare una definizione che renda intellegibile il delirio in quanto stato mentale. La ricerca evidenzia i legami di continuità e discontinuità tra i primi contributi fondativi della fenomenologia psichiatrica e le ricerche contemporanee. Infine, l’ultimo capitolo viene dedicato al lavoro di Henri Grivois (1933-2021), medico eclettico che elabora una clinica dell’incontro e del contatto tra menti distinte, quella dello psichiatra e quella del paziente psicotico. Forte dell’esperienza raccolta al pronto soccorso dell’Hôtel-Dieu, Grivois propone una definizione di psicosi e un metodo clinico di intervento precoce. A Grivois viene riconosciuto il merito di aver elaborato una proposta teorica coerente e innovativa. Sebbene la storia della fenomenologia non possa vantare un percorso unitario e omogeneo fin dalle sue origini, il campo ermeneutico dei suoi percorsi concettuali dispiega un complesso ventaglio di strumenti analitici. Alla presentazione di questi strumenti è consacrato il presente lavoro.