Between Medicine and Philosophy

Please, tell me about your relationships with Latvia and the University of Latvia. When did you first arrive here and how did you start studying at the doctoral programme? I first time came to Latvia in 2006. At that time my younger brother was in Erasmus programme in Vilnius, and he had made friends with several Latvian students. When I visited him, we travelled around Poland and Lithuania, and eventually got to Latvia. My first impressions were very positive, and people seemed nice. We spent several weeks here, in Riga, and elsewhere – in Skrunda, Kuldīga, Liepāja. At that time I still had to finish my bachelor studies, therefore I went back. When I had obtained my master’s degree, I thought about further options and realized that I did not want to return to my home village. My studies in Genoa had been finished, and I wanted some changes. I knew that I wanted to study abroad, and my brother who was still in contact with his Latvian friends, suggested that I come here and teach Italian. Moreover, I had thorough knowledge in humanities – I studied philosophy, Ancient Greek and Latin already in secondary school – and there was an opportunity to apply this knowledge. Therefore I said - why not? You have been in Latvia for three years already and are now a doctorate student at the Faculty of History and Philosophy. What is the topic of your research? I am doing a research on how people with mental problems develop ethical values and whether and how their value system differs. Basically, the research is related to ethical issues in the field of psychiatrics. There are many theories and fortunately in the recent years more attention is paid to these aspects. We try to figure out when the moral values of a person with for instance schizophrenia begin to differ from those of a person who does not have this disorder. We try to comprehend how mental disorders influence morality. How is it possible to determine something like this, what are your methods? I have spent much time learning about other research in this field. Of course, I am going to cooperate with doctors who work in this sphere. I consider that there are many different opportunities for practical treatment of these issues; however, currently I am still working on the theoretical part. I have found many research works about schizophrenia and how the elements, common for philosophy and psychiatry could be combined, for example, in the phenomenological method. Thus we try to better understand patients’ inner life. It is known that behaviour, speech and actions of many such patients seem reasoned and logical. All the particles of brain are working; they even create a system, which, however, is not always detectable. Very often their behaviour does not correspond to the prognosis and medical schemes. There are elements which simply do not blend for the diagnosis. Therefore, it is extremely difficult, almost impossible to develop universal criteria.  There are still discussions among psychiatrists. Some deny the very existence of schizophrenia.  There are simply too many aspects under the term ‘schizophrenia’ preventing their generalization. I am not a doctor and avoid such discussions; my goal is to cooperate with doctors to find ways how to enhance patients’ recovery. The most important thing is to ease suffering. It is challenging, but I am happy that we will develop and expand the project to reach the best results that can be implemented also in Latvia”. When and why did you become interested in mental health issues? When I was an Erasmus student in Spain, Valencia, I took a two semester course on Michel Foucault. It was funny, since in my university in Genoa, Foucault was not so highly appreciated. At least not as much as to make a year-long course studying his ideas. Thus, in Spain I got carried away with this thinker and his theories.  My bachelor thesis presented the analysis of Foucault’s ‘The Birth of the Clinic’. When writing the Master’s thesis, I continued the research, focusing on the reform of psychiatry in Italy. In May 13, 1978, a law was adopted in Italy that prescribed liquidation of the existing structure of psychiatric clinics, but that, of course, happened gradually. A period of twenty years before this date includes various events and many factors to be considered in order to understand why and how this deinstitutionalizing has happened.  For instance, new neuroleptic drugs were produced at that time which helped aggressive patients to socialize. In 1968 there was a political uprising, but the main factor is the attitude towards patients. Earlier the staff members of psychiatric clinics were selected on the basis of their physical strength, to be able to control, hold, or tie rampant patients. Such scornful practices towards patients was common in clinics for a rather long period of time. But then the new generation of psychiatrists came; they pointed out that instead of helping the patients we simply isolate them from the society. The new generation preferred focussing on people rather than diagnosis, seeing a person instead of maniacal depression. In this way we gradually turned from a prison-like system, where patients are kept in isolation, to alternative social care.  Care centres were formed in almost every city quarter. What is the present situation in psychiatric care in Italy? Italy is a big country. We have places with very high standards, but there are others where the conditions are terrible. There are places where one has to wait extremely long to receive care. Often families had to take the burden of caring after such patients. There are also cities that resisted the reform and protested, but there are always two sides. Next to your studies you have also worked with students both in Latvia and Italy. What are your relationships with Latvian students? Do you feel any particular difference? In my opinion students will always be students (laughs). I try to think of myself and what I was when I began to study. At present I am on the other side, and it has to be admitted. However, to be honest, I cannot complain.  I like working with students, and I also like students themselves. Of course, there are always those who find studies boring. In such cases, one has to realize that to some extent it is my fault – I have not made the topic interesting enough. It is always challenging, but I like it. It is part of the learning process. For me it is a positive experience, since I can learn much for myself, also from the very experienced professors I have around me. I feel that here, in Riga, I have opportunities to grow and develop. Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.