Orginal Article

Delusional Beliefs, Two-Factor Theories, and Bizarreness

  • NIE Chenwei
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  • School of Philosophy and Social Development, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China

Published date: 15 Jun 2016

Copyright

2016 Higher Education Press and Brill

Abstract

In order to explain delusional beliefs, one must first consider what factors should be included in a theory of delusion. Unlike a one-factor theory, a two-factor theory of delusion argues that not only anomalous experience (the first factor) but also an impairment of the belief-evaluation system (the second factor) is required. Recently, two-factor theorists have adopted various Bayesian approaches in order to give a more accurate description of delusion formation. By reviewing the progression from a one-factor theory to a two-factor theory, I argue that in light of the second factor’s requirements, different proposed impairments can be unified within a consistent belief-evaluation system. Under this interpretation of the second factor, I further argue that the role of a mechanism responsible for detecting bizarreness is wrongly neglected. I conclude that the second factor is a compound system which consists of differing functional parts, one of which functions to detect bizarreness in different stages of delusion; moreover, I hold that the impairment can be one or several of these functional parts.

Cite this article

NIE Chenwei . Delusional Beliefs, Two-Factor Theories, and Bizarreness[J]. Frontiers of Philosophy in China, 2016 , 11(2) : 263 -278 . DOI: 10.3868/s030-005-016-0020-1

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