Why Delusions Matter

Abstract

Delusions can be many things. They can be symptoms of mental health problems, such as schizophrenia, clinical delusions, or simply the beliefs that people cling to which are unsupported by evidence. We call the latter everyday delusions and they can include anything from the benefits of homeopathy to the dangers of alien abduction. Yet, why do people adopt delusional beliefs and why can they be so reluctant to part with them? In Why Delusions Matter, Lisa Bortolotti explains what delusions really are and that despite their negative reputation, that they can also play a positive role in someone's life, such as providing meaning to people’s experiences and strengthening their identities. In a clear and accessible style, she contributes to the growing study of philosophy and the cognitive sciences, providing an intelligent and nuanced view of delusions.