The Manufacture of Madness: A Comparative Study of the Inquisition and the Mental Health Movement
1970; American Medical Association; Volume: 213; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1001/jama.1970.03170360088029
ISSN1538-3598
Autores Tópico(s)Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes
ResumoThe author of this volume is well known for his view that mental illness is a "myth," arrived at through biased attitudes and objectionable methods used by society toward some of its nonconforming members. Such a viewpoint has elicited much controversy. In this new book, Dr. Szasz pushes his argument further, this time along historical lines. In the first part, he defends the thesis that today's mentally ill are identified and treated— or mistreated—in a way similar to the alleged witches in the Renaissance and to the Jews at particular times and places in their history. The second part covers a variety of topics. Benjamin Rush, far from being considered as "The Father of American Psychiatry," is severely criticized for his moralistic attitude toward the mentally ill. Homosexuality is viewed as a stigma replacing the heresy of the past centuries, rather than as an illness. In one chapter the concept
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