Delusion

Lisa Bortolotti; Ema Sullivan-Bissett

Delusion

Philosophy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Abstract

In this brief entry, we offer an overview of classic and contemporary debates surrounding clinical delusions in philosophy and psychology. Researchers disagree about the nature of delusional states and about the processes responsible for their formation. Are delusions beliefs? Is it necessary to stipulate a cognitive bias or deficit to explain why people endorse delusional hypotheses? Further areas of debate include whether the notion of epistemic injustice can be used to describe the treatment of people with delusions and whether delusions can be at the same time harmful and adaptive.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology
Publisher	Palgrave
Publication status	Published - 8 Apr 2026

Keywords

Delusion

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M3 - Chapter (peer-reviewed)

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ER -

Delusion

Abstract

Keywords

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