The Disruption of Perception: How the philosophy of Maurice Merleau-Ponty can help us understand the phenomenon of intoxication and addiction

Abstract

This paper seeks to address the ‘black hole’ in the literature on addiction: the experience of drunkenness. Intoxication is the starting point for addiction. It is the spell that bewitches addicts. Using the philosophical insights of Merleau-Ponty I will examine the way that alcohol distorts our perception and changes our relationship with our bodies.