The Epistemological Significance of Psychic Trauma

Abstract

This essay explores the epistemological significance of the kinds of beliefs that grow out of traumatic experiences, such as the rape survivor's belief that she is never safe. O n current theories of justification, beliefs like this one are generally dismissed due to either insufficient evidence or insufficient propositional content. Here, Freedman distinguishes two discrete sides of the aftermath of psychic trauma, the shattered self and the shattered worldview. This move enables us to see these beliefs as beliefs; in other words, us having cognitive content. Freedman argues that what we then need is a theory of justification that allows us to handpick reliable sources of information on sexual violence, and give credibility where deemed appropriate. She advances a mix of reliabilism and coherentism that privileges feminism. O n this account, the evidence for the class of beliefs in question will depend on un act of sexual violence (or testimony, or statistics) to the extent that the act is u reliable indication of the prevalence of sexual violence against women.What happens to our beliefs about the world after a traumatic experience, and are these traumatically informed beliefs justified? The sorts of beliefs that I have in mind, for example, are the rape survivor's belief that she is never safe or the child abuse survivor's belief that adults cannot be trusted. While my intuition is that, for these survivors, these beliefs and ones like them are justified, they do not fit comfortably within our mainstream theories of justification. As friends or partners of survivors of traumatic events we can show deep understanding of the consequences of terror and violence, indeed we show a certain compassion even in the absence of any personal connection to the survivor.' But as epistemologists we routinely dismiss traumatically informed beliefs as irrational, for one of two reasons. Either we dismiss the beliefs due to insufficient evidence

Trauma-informed practices and leadership education: A literature review

“…Indeed, one of the guidelines used for conducting this review recommends that the author(s) explain their perspective to clarify their point of view to readers (Torraco, 2016). Beyond viewpoint, Freedman (2006) argues that documenting first person narratives of our own traumatic experiences provides transparency about our biases while also helping others understand potential biases in mainstream society. To aid in transparency about our perspective on trauma we feel it is important to offer epistemological statements outlining both authors’ experience with trauma.…”

What is trauma? A critique and definition.

“…To be fair, it is not clear that Freud and Charcot drew a strong connection between hysteria and "railway spine." 4 For a philosophical analysis of trauma as a "shattering" of oneself and one's worldview, see Freedman, 2006. For a summary of an early investigation of traumatic dissociation ("split personality"), see chapter two in Leys, 2000. 2 BLEHM confusion, nightmares and impaired sight and hearing.…”

“…4For a philosophical analysis of trauma as a “shattering” of oneself and one’s worldview, see Freedman, 2006. For a summary of an early investigation of traumatic dissociation (“split personality”), see chapter two in Leys, 2000.…”

Argument from Personal Narrative: A Case Study of Rachel Moran's Paid For: My Journey Through Prostitution

“…Yet emotions are keys to moral dimensions of reality (Nussbaum 1990, Currie 1995, Carroll 2002, and section 6), so suppressing them will hamper a person in understanding her experience when it occurs. Only much later, with time to process the experience, do appropriate and revealing emotions have the chance to develop (Freedman 2006;Goldie 2012, 55). Moran says that, after leaving prostitution: I began to interpret my prostitution abuse on an intellectual, as well as a deep, personal level.…”

“…2;Meyers 1993, 227-232;Meyers 2009;Code 2006;Freedman 2006;Stump 2010;Harding 2004;Nussbaum 1990;Carroll 2002;Currie 1995;Goldie 2012). My main aim is to understand and promote narrative argument as a philosophical form by appeal to a salutary example.…”