To briefly examine shortcomings in the foundation concepts that underlie theory and thought in contemporary psychiatry and to argue that these shortcomings mislead research and practice.

Psychiatry stands on a complex of ideas and concepts that cannot be reduced to a satisfying or unifying underlying conceptual system or idea. The ideas and concepts have been patched together ad hoc and function until things go wrong. Growing professional dispute and public disquiet indicates that things are going wrong. I suggest that professional philosophers need to be engaged in the necessary infrastructure repairs.