Philosophical theorising about the rumination of depression

Rumination is a central factor in depression and philosophers are increasingly interested in the phenomenon. Yet there is a gap between the philosophical and psychological discussions. This paper aims to narrow this gap by defending three interrelated claims. First, philosophical theorising must acknowledge that rumination involves two constructs—brooding and pondering—where brooding is characteristic of depression. Second, empirical work suggests that brooding exhibits features associated with both automaticity and control, relevant to philosophical discussions of agency. Third, structural theories of depression in philosophy should consider brooding as a key causal factor in the changes of consciousness in depression.