Philosophy of Medicine Reading Group

Thursdays at 10–11am in the Board Room.

Organisers: Johanna Silva-Stüger (HPS) and Zdenka Brzović (Clare Hall)

Michaelmas Term 2025

This term the Philosophy of Medicine Reading Group will be reading Madness: A Philosophical Exploration by Justin Garson, fresh off the press with OUP. We will be meeting weekly to read clusters of related chapters (on average 40 pages to read per weak).

Anyone is welcome to attend. We especially invite philosophers, historians, and psychiatrists. We hope to see you there!

Reading schedule

Part I: The Dual Teleology of Madness

• 16 October: Introduction, Chapters 1–2
• 23 October: Chapters 3–4

Part II: Madness and The Sound Mind

• 30 October: Chapters 5–6
• 6 November: Chapters 7–8
• 13 November: Chapters 9–10

Part III: Madness and The Goal of Evolution

• 20 November: Chapters 11–13
• 27 November: Chapters 14–15, Epilogue

If you are curious whether this book is for you:

• A concise précis to the book by the author in the European Journal of Analytic Philosophy
• A review by Lisa Bortolotti in the BJPS