Philosopher Jonna Bornemark Challenges Autism Diagnosis in New Book
In a review for Dagens Nyheter, Lars Linder discusses Jonna Bornemark’s latest book, "The Displaced" (original title: "De undanträngda"), the second installment in her "Twist the World" series. Bornemark, a philosopher, questions the societal tendency to diagnose autistic individuals as deviants. Instead, she argues that society should learn from their unique sensibility and intense emotional connection to the environment. The book features personal testimonies from autistic individuals, such as Jess, who describes a visceral, boundary-less experience of nature, and Emmy, who feels deep distress over environmental changes. Bornemark connects these experiences to the thoughts of medieval philosopher Giordano Bruno and concepts from quantum physics, suggesting that autistic perspectives offer an ego-transcending way of understanding reality. She posits that modern society’s reliance on abstract concepts distances humans from nature, contributing to environmental destruction. By embracing an "autistic" mode of perception, characterized by a lack of distinction between self and world, humanity might rediscover a more holistic relationship with living and non-living entities. The review highlights the book as a thought-provoking excursion that challenges conventional epistemological frameworks.
Wire timeline
Philosopher Jonna Bornemark Challenges Autism Diagnosis in New Book
In a review for Dagens Nyheter, Lars Linder discusses Jonna Bornemark’s latest book, "The Displaced" (original title: "De undanträngda"), the second installment in her "Twist the World" series. Bornemark, a philosopher, questions the societal tendency to diagnose autistic individuals as deviants. Instead, she argues that society should learn from their unique sensibility and intense emotional connection to the environment. The book features personal testimonies from autistic individuals, such as Jess, who describes a visceral, boundary-less experience of nature, and Emmy, who feels deep distress over environmental changes. Bornemark connects these experiences to the thoughts of medieval philosopher Giordano Bruno and concepts from quantum physics, suggesting that autistic perspectives offer an ego-transcending way of understanding reality. She posits that modern society’s reliance on abstract concepts distances humans from nature, contributing to environmental destruction. By embracing an "autistic" mode of perception, characterized by a lack of distinction between self and world, humanity might rediscover a more holistic relationship with living and non-living entities. The review highlights the book as a thought-provoking excursion that challenges conventional epistemological frameworks.
DN.se - Dagens Nyheter