Disability and Theory of Mind

The Theory of Mind, first initiated by Descartess Cartesian self-reference was later used to
understand cognition in the social context, intentionality and perspective. The Theory of
Mind is essentially the cognitive understanding of other minds as well as ones own.
Chomsky relied on it heavily to evolve his pathbreaking Universal Grammar.
This relational aspect of Chomskys Universal Grammar with the Theory of Mind is an
essential part of the thesis.
A significant aspect of Chomskys research on the social context of the hearing impaired, is a
paradigm that arose from it-
The disabled have impaired Theory of mind. Especially those with intellectual disabilities,
autism and schizophrenia.
This principle is displayed in subsequent research in neuroscience as well. Though results
have not been entirely collaborative in the field of neuroscience studies, the impaired
Theory of Mind paradigmatic approach informs the DSM-5. (Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual for Mental Disorders).
This is the second important part of the thesis.
However, latest sociological perspective of this paradigmatic approach questions the DSM -5
criteria. A different perspective has emerged from the organic evolution of what is called
the various disability models.
The first model of disability was called the charity model. The disabled could not merit more
than compassion and mercy, because such was the hopelessness of the conditions of
disability. The Theory of Mind here, is complete alienation.
The second model was the medical model. This could also be called the cure disability
model. The Theory of Mind here acknowledges a clinical continuity with the Other. A fairly
topical development this may have emerged from the recent advances in technology and
medicine.
The most recent is the Social Disability model. The premise of this argument takes the point
of reference away from the disability, and towards its social environment. The hostility and
the lack of empathy in the social environment, it is said, reinforces, exacerbates and actually
creates disability. In this theory of Mind, the Self is in some way the Other.
The success of inclusive education models in countries like Canada, Finland and Italy has
become corroborative evidence of this model.
This is the third essential part of the thesis.
To summarise, the essential points of research are- the Cartesian sense of Self as the
initiator of Chomskys intentionality, perspective and Universal Grammar. This establishes
the paradigmatic approach to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Health. The DSM -
5 criteria as a statistical manual is an important resource to study its relational identity and
conflicting parameters with the Social Disability model.

The thesis
Is Disability a Theory of Mind?
There is ample and extensive Chomskian research on early childhood development. The
linkages between Universal Grammar and the Theory of Mind are easy to make, given the
wealth of information already available. Its harking back on Cartesian dualism and leading to
prevailing paradigms of disability diagnosis is also fairly comprehensive.
But research on the Social disability model is still emerging. Successful outcomes of inclusion
models, questioning the philosophy the DSM-5 is based on, has become undeniable
circumstantial evidence of a paradigm shift.
The new paradigm is an inversion of the first.
Is disability a theory of Mind?
How credible is the premise that disability is created by Society? How deep is societys
anthropological and historical denial of neurodiversity?
Does the social disability model change the Theory of Mind? Will this, therefore, make a
paradigmatic shift in understanding social cognition necessary?
The imitative nature of social cognition has always been considered crucial.
But how imitative is the nature of social cognition?
Is neurodiversity the new Theory of Mind? If so then how anthropological is the rejection of
neurodiversity? The answer to this will reveal the fractures in the old paradigm. Like an
investigation, the research moves backwards.
It moves from social disability to the Cartesian principles informing the Theory of Mind. It
reveals the fracture in social cognition. It re-centres the coordinates of disability diagnosis as
a relational context. How innate is Universal Grammar? Does it go deeper than Chomsky
expected? Can generational grammar become innate? How much does the Theory of Mind
follow the syntax of Universal Grammar.
This line of investigation progresses towards the boundaries between social and individual
consciousness. Where does the individual end, and where does society begin?
At this point the thesis explores this researchers Mirror theory. Also referred to as
pratibimb in esoteric Kashmir Shaivism.
Does the mirror representation of the world include both the Self and the Other? Will then
this theory explain the social acceptance of neurodiversity? The Mirror theory absolves
Cartesian dualism. For the disabled, in the Cartesian paradigm the fractures were in the Self,
and its distortions of Theory of Mind.
In the Mirror theory, the Social disability model reveals that the distortions are not in the
Self, but a Theory of Mind, not of the other, but One Mind that includes the Self and the
Other.
Disability then becomes that anomalous force in social cognition that inverts Cartesian
dualism, flips it so to speak, to show the boundary-less unity between Self and Society. It
also shows the progressive nature of their interaction. The more the Theory of Mind
becomes, not of the Other, but of the One, the more the boundaries between the Self and
Society merge.
Neurodiversity becomes a boundary-less continuum of cognition. And in so doing becomes a
rejection of the primeval process of individuation. The Self then is no longer the Other.
There is ,therefore, no more, Theory of Mind.