Am J Psychiatry 1980; 137:417-422
Copyright © 1980 by American Psychiatric Association
On "I": the conceptual foundations of responsibility
GG Globus
In clinical practice, great emphasis is placed on the patient's being
responsible, yet the conceptual bases of this therapeutic posture are
obscure. The author examines the conceptual foundations of responsibility
by focusing on the subjective "I". Although "I" is widely considered to be
an empty term, signifying only an illusory "ghost in the machine," the
author argues that our acquaintance with "I" is acceptable at face value.
"I" is strictly identified with the tacit, rule-governed, grammatical
actions of distinguishing (or meaning) that constitute the experienced
personal world. The author discusses the clinically important distinction
between "having" and "assuming" responsibility.
