CRAIG FRENCH
Philosophy at the
Middle Street Resource Centre
Philosophy of Mental Health in the Community
A series of philosophy-based discussion events open to members of the public! These events run at the Middle Street Resource Centre - a mental health charity in Beeston, Nottingham.
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These events are inclusive and welcoming, with healthy debate and sharing of ideas. Each session runs for two hours, with a break and refreshments. The topics below are chosen by regular participants of the philosophy group at Middle Street: primarily, support workers and users of the Middle Street service.
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The events are facilitated by Craig French and part of the Philosophy of Mental Health in Nottingham research group. If you would like to attend, please register by contacting Craig.
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The series of events in generously sponsored by the Royal Institute of Philosophy.
Events
Each session runs in person, from 2pm to 4pm at the Middle Street Resource Centre. Find out how to get to the centre here.
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Tuesday 17th March – Addiction, Brain and Society
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The philosophy of addiction. Is addiction a disorder, as some psychiatrists think? If so, how should we characterise it? At the level of brain chemistry? What role does society play? In what sense might addiction be a social phenomenon?
Tuesday 31st March – Non-Medical Mental Health
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The philosophy of mental health. Is mental health an exclusively medical matter? What would non-medical mental health be? And non-medical care for mental health? Should we operate with a notion of mental health at all?
Tuesday 28th April – The Fragmented Self
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The philosophy of mind and metaphysics. What is the self? Can it fragment? Is this what happens in the context of certain mental health difficulties? Does this relate to personality, and “disorders” or personality?
Tuesday 12th May – Empathy
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Philosophy of mind. What is empathy? Is it central to making humans social creatures? How should we understand break downs in empathy? What is the relationship between empathy and mental health?
Tuesday 26th May – Advocacy
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The philosophy of mental health; political philosophy. What is advocacy? What is the value of mental health advocacy? What are the burdens of this on individuals, communities, and minorities? How should we respond to those in power who try to capture or co-op the ideas of grassroots mental health advocates?
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Tuesday 23rd June – Co-Production
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The philosophy of mental health, epistemology. What is co-production in the domain of mental health care and research? Why is it valuable? What are the foundational principles behind it? What are the challenges to co-productive? Is our group co-productive?
Tuesday 7th July – Time and Mental Health
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The philosophy of mental health; metaphysics. What is time? How is time relevant to mental health? Can difficulties of mental health impact our perception of time? Is there a link between good mental health and the perception of time?
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Tuesday 21st July – Humour and Mental Health
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The philosophy of mental health; the philosophy of humour. What is humour? What is the relationship between humour and mental health? Is laughter always the best medicine? What role does humour play in relationships, and development of the self?