The phenomenology of paranoia here outlined is based on the works of A. Tatossian and P. Ricoeur, and explores the structure of identity and the relationship between identity idem and identity ipse. The problem is ontological and the paranoid person feels precisely the danger of an ontological "fall"; a fall which results in a feeling of excessive closeness to others. Hence the "flight in the heights", which requires one to change the sense of reality and to overstimate his social role. Intersubjectivity and inter-corporeity are at the heart of this disease, which is in its essence distinct from psychopathy.
Keywords: Paranoia, inter-subjectivity, inter-corporeity, identity, idem, ipse.