“To see oursels as others see us”

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This paper takes as its starting point the paper by Aubrey Lewis entitled "The psychopathology of insight" published in 1934, unreferenced. AIMS: To attempt to explore the historical antecedents and consequences of this work. METHOD: Speculative review. RESULTS: Lewis's approach to phenomenology, contemporaneous movements in psychology and Lewis's own life and times--notably the eugenics legislation in Nazi Germany--probably shaped his conclusions. Modern concepts of insight, which emphasise neuropsychology as well as social psychology, were anticipated in Lewis's writings. CONCLUSIONS: The concept of insight has stimulated research into difficult theoretical and practical areas such as self-awareness and treatment compliance, respectively. Concern over a patient's capacity for insight has the potential to humanise psychiatry.