J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2025 Nov;64(4):239-248. 10.4306/jknpa.2025.64.4.239.

Temporal Structure of Intentionality and Psychopathology of Schizophrenia

• Kim HC

• KMID: 2574514
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2025.64.4.239

Abstract

This review aims to integrate phenomenological and neuroscience perspectives to provide a more holistic view of the psychopathology of schizophrenia and broaden its clinical application based on this. Schizophrenia can be described as a disorder resulting from the breakdown of temporally structured intentionality from the viewpoint of phenomenology. The delusions and hallucinations were explained as a disturbance in the integrated temporal structure of consciousness provided by Husserl’s concept of “inner time-consciousness” and Merleau–Ponty’s “intentional arc.” Husserl described inner time-consciousness as a tripartite structure of retention (past), primal impression (present), and protention (future). The temporal synthesis of this tripartite structure forms the foundation for self–world relatedness, interpersonal communication, and meaning-making. This structure breaks down in schizophrenia. In particular, protention—the unconscious anticipation of the future—appears to be altered in ways that correlate with a dysfunction in the core brain networks (default mode and salience networks) and with abnormalities in predictive processing. The clinical implications of this integrative perspective are significant. It could expand treatment goals beyond simple symptom relief to include restoring a consistent sense of self over time and improving the ability to anticipate what will happen next, depending on the situation. Future research will need to integrate network interaction analysis, computational modeling, and electroencephalography hyperscanning technology to elucidate the multidimensional structure of intentionality. In conclusion, schizophrenia is best understood as a dysfunction of cognitive processing or reality-testing and as stemming from basic disruptions in the temporal organization of consciousness and intentionality.

Keyword

Time perception; Intentionality; Schizophrenia; Psychopathology; Phenomenology; Neuroscience