Bad Ideas as a Cause of Mental Illness: Philosophy in Action Podcast

On Sunday's Philosophy in Action Radio, I answered a question on bad ideas as a cause of mental illness. The question was:

Can the consistent practice of wrong ideas lead to mental illness? Often, the most consistent practitioners of an ideology – such as Naziism or Islam – seem to become increasingly unhinged over time. Does fully embracing a fantasy-based ideology entail or encourage mental illness, such as paranoia and delusions? If so, are such people then not responsible for what they say or do?

My Answer, In Brief: A person can damage his mind severely by consistent practice of evasion and irrationality, and religion and other fantasy-based ideologies can help a person do that.

Download or Listen to My Full Answer:

• Duration: 12:25
• Download: MP3 Segment

Tags: Epistemology, Mental Illness, Philosophy, Rationality, Religion

Links:

• Philosophy in Action: The Reality of Mental Illness
• The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer
• Downfall

To comment on this question or my answer, visit its comment thread.

A podcast of the full episode – where I answered questions on Objectivism versus libertarianism, bad ideas as a cause of mental illness, doctors refusing to perform abortions, and more – is available here: Episode of 9 June 2013.

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Philosophy in Action Radio applies rational principles to the challenges of real life in live internet radio shows on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. For information on upcoming shows, visit the Episodes on Tap. For podcasts of past shows, visit the Show Archives.