Mental disorder as vulnerable ground for evil : the disconnection between medicine and religion

Abstract

This thesis seeks to create awareness of the greater wisdom needed when dealing with human evil in all its dimensions, causes and implications. By going beyond the logical argument it attempts to shed light on forgotten ways of dealing with evil as defined in the Christian biblical and theological tradition. Simultaneously it explores and acknowledges the immense and valuable contribution made by science towards the understanding of human evil. Using a transcendental phenomenological approach it focuses on cases of mental disorder, namely, individuals suffering from the opiate dependence syndrome. Through an investigation of the experiences of the subjects it explores the gap between what neurobiology can explain and consequently treat and that which is beyond empirical explanation. Due to the surprising and intriguing lacunae that still prevail and in the absence of medical and scientific explanation, the thesis seeks to explore what the input of religion could be and to what extent this could be scientifically acceptable. Finally it proposes the need of a rehabilitation process aimed at healing the brokenness of those in care which is based philosophy of care that focuses holistically at individuals and their unique needs.