ABSTRACT
This book arose out of a conference organised by the Society for Applied Philosophy in 1997 to explore conceptual issues at the interface of philosophy, psychiatry, psycho-analysis, and law. Conference participants brought a wealth of experience and insights across the whole field of mental disorder, but the main elements of participants' papers and the ensuing discussion focused on the problems of personal identity and disordered personality, with specific attention to psychopathic personal ity disorder. Although Strawson's concept of 'participant reactive attitudes' is helpful in widening our understanding of empathy, it may be insufficient or inappropriate in explaining the lack of prudential judgement in persons with secondary psychopathy. Although the case study Fulford uses is concerned with personality change, the implications for personal identity and especially psychopathy are readily apparent. Recent advances in therapeutic jurisprudence have recognised the value of tailoring legal formulation to the therapeutic objectives of society and of those charged with providing treatment and care for disordered individuals.
