A theory of the schizophrenias must take account of the varieties of symptomatology and courses of illness which occur. Neglect of nosography has led to controversy about object relations in the schizophrenias. At the onset of all schizophrenic psychoses real object relations are replaced by 'psychotic' identifications. The object is retained despite its regressed state. Absence of remission and courses to end states can be attributed to loss of the object. This leads to delusional object relations based on fantasy.