20/05/2024 11:00 - 16:30

HALL: FATESI - CAMPO

Proponent: Scrutton T.

Chair: Scrutton T.

Speaker: Coblentz J., Finley K., Gipps R., Hewitt S., Leidenhag J., Scrutton T., Swinton J., Waite H.

"Both-and" approaches to psychopathology and religious experience emphasise ways in which someone might be having both a religious experience and a mental illness. They have generally played second fiddle to debates about how to distinguish between psychopathology and religious experience which presuppose an either-or approach; however, a minority voice has historically pointed to both-and approaches, and these are increasingly gaining traction today (see e.g. Swinton, 2020; Cook, 2023). 


Both-and approaches have the potential to form a significant paradigm shift with far-reaching pastoral and clinical implications. Perhaps, it is argued, it is possible for someone whose experience includes both religious and pathological aspects to receive both medication (to treat suffering/dysfunction) and sick leave, and also spiritual encouragement and guidance (thus e.g. retaining a sense of religious meaning).
However, what both-and approaches entail is far from straightforward once one goes beyond these generalities. In order to be true to lived experience, and attuned to different situations, and theologically and philosophically nuanced, and pastorally and clinically responsible, both-and approaches require input from a number of people. These include experts by experience, theologians, philosophers, people with pastoral roles, and mental health professionals. This panel will bring together these scholars and professionals to consider and develop rigorous both-and approaches.