Witnessing Mental Illness Through Doing Philosophy

(co-organised with Social Philosopher, Zsuzsanna Chappell)

Many philosophers work on topics which relate in some fashion to their own life experiences. This personal element changes our perspective, motivates us and takes our thinking in new directions. Many philosophers have either direct experience of their own mental disorders or proximate experience through living with and caring for people with mental disorders as family members, friends or clinicians. The work presented in these colloquia bears witness to these experiences, and also responds to these them through fostering understanding of what mental disorders are, what their effects are on people, and how we can better help people undergoing them. This does not mean that such work will always be autobiographical. Throughout, we aim to centre the experiences and foster the self-understanding of those who live with mental illness.

This series will be ongoing throughout 2024 and 2025.

Speakers and dates:

17th October, Elliot Porter (online and in person at KCL)

14th November, Susi Farrarello (online)

28th November, Robyn Repko (online and in person at KCL)

12th December, Julia Knopes (online)