– HiTOP is a scientifically-grounded taxonomy of mental disorders meant to compete with the DSM.
– The DSM has been criticized for pathologizing homosexuality and other healthy behaviours.
– The DSM writers are trans-friendly and want to make sure trans people can get the care they need, but they also don’t want to stigmatize trans people.
– From a biological point of view, homosexuality and pedophilia are similar, but the relevant difference between them is moral, not biological.
– A purely biological, apolitical taxonomy of mental disorders would have difficulty distinguishing between things that are ethically and practically different.
– New taxonomies of mental disorders are still useful for other reasons, but they cannot avoid political bias in what is vs. isn’t a disorder.
Published January 25, 2023
Visit Astral Codex Ten to read Scott Alexander’s original post You Don’t Want A Purely Biological, Apolitical Taxonomy Of Mental Disorders
