This paper presents a debate on the nature of the object of Psychiatry. Two approaches to the issue are discussed: realism and pragmatism. According to realism, would exist autonomously the conditions known as mental disorders regardless of human conceptualization. Pragmatist perspectives assume that mental disorders are not sufficiently explained as natural types, since human norms and interests are always at stake in the making of psychiatric classifications. The specific features, differences, and limitations of both approaches are described.
Psychiatry; realism; pragmatism; psychiatric classification