Status
Available
Call number
Publication
New York, Vintage Books [1973, c1965]
Description
In this classic account of madness, Michel Foucault shows once and for all why he is one of the most distinguished European philosophers since the end of World War II. Madness and Civilization, Foucault's first book and his finest accomplishment, will change the way in which you think about society. Evoking shock, pity, and fascination, it might also make you question the way you think about yourself.
User reviews
LibraryThing member bloom
Foucault employs an exacting and yet artistic methodology of historical-sociological interpretation of the history of madness in the age of reason. In this impressive work, he discovers that the origin of insanity, of psychological confinement, corresponds with the diminution of leprosy in Europe,
-As a side note, this edition appears to be an incomplete version of Foucault's book, as it contains nothing on Descartes and his methodoligical relation between madness and doubt raised in the Meditations. This section would later be the focus of Derrida's criticism in his lecture 'Cogito and the History of Madness,' published in 'Writing and Difference,'which caused a rift between the two thinkers. The Vintage edition appears to be only one half of Foucault's original book. The complete version of the text is going to be published by Routledge later this year, so hold off on this one.
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and that the sectors of institutional power sought to find another means of normalization and social control through the imprisonment, and public degradation of the mentally ill, the poor, and the homeless. This power dynamic later manifests itself in the form of absolute confinement and normalcy, in which the insane were subjected to physiological experimentation, which marks an apparent disregard for Descartes' mind-body distinction. Foucault skillfully outlines the means of psychological repair through the exploration of the balancing of the four humors, to the revealing of insanity's non-being and non-reason through its release to the ultimate freedom of nature. Foucault then examines the transition of psychology from the real of biological-intellectual non-reason, to the imposition of moral and religious absolutism and the birth of the asylum, and finally to the (perhaps salvation) of Freud and psychoanalysis, in which the patient-doctor relationship is recreated as a mode of observation, not judgment or condescension, "he made it the Mirror in which madness, in an almost motionless movement, clings to and casts off itself" (pg. 278). Foucault's Madness and Civilization represents an important breakthrough in the field of post-modern philosophy; it is truly an excellent work of scholarship and profound insight.-As a side note, this edition appears to be an incomplete version of Foucault's book, as it contains nothing on Descartes and his methodoligical relation between madness and doubt raised in the Meditations. This section would later be the focus of Derrida's criticism in his lecture 'Cogito and the History of Madness,' published in 'Writing and Difference,'which caused a rift between the two thinkers. The Vintage edition appears to be only one half of Foucault's original book. The complete version of the text is going to be published by Routledge later this year, so hold off on this one.
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LibraryThing member whitewavedarling
I found this an easier read than Foucault's other work. It's a fascinating look at the history of our culture's understanding and treatment of madness, as well the changing relationship we've had with the state of believed madness. And of course, it's wonderfully written with humor as an added
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bonus. Show Less
LibraryThing member breadhat
Four stars, I guess? I don't really know how to review something like this. There were several sections, including the conclusion, that I didn't feel I understood at all. And Foucault continues to frustrate me in the way that he seems deliberately obscure: while I certainly wouldn't say that he is
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dealing in simple concepts, they seem like they don't need to be as difficult as he is making them. But for all of its faults and quirks, this was a totally rewarding book. The idea that psychoanalysis deals not with the eternal structure of the human mind but rather with a set of complexes developing within the last few centuries of Western history was particularly fascinating to me. A brilliant book: maybe someday I'll actually read the entire History of Madness, but I doubt that it will be anytime soon! Show Less
LibraryThing member BraveKelso
A brilliant, innovative and mendacious history.
LibraryThing member wonderperson
Foucault is an brilliant Historian who charts the progress or lack of it of the treatment of the mentally ill. Read to be disturbed at how they were treated.
LibraryThing member Brendan.H
Difficult to review because I wouldn't claim to have a clear understanding of everything that the author is attempting to communicate. It doesn't help that the syntax can be brutal, with quite a bit of humanities jargon. That being said, I found long sections interesting/provocative. His criticism
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of the evolving conceptualization of "madness" in western society is interesting and he makes a good argument that our modern understanding still rests largely on a foundation of metaphor rather than the objective, empirical basis we would like to believe. On the other hand, it seems to me that this is the same method he employs in examining the issue, making me wonder if he could have found anything else. It would be interesting to hear Foucault's thoughts on this same topic in the wake of the pharmacological revolution of the last few decades. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bricker
I was expecting more of a case history/solid changes or advancements in diagnosis and treatment, that was not to be here. This book seems to be more of a pompous philosophical/societal review of madness and the judgement of such with a few scientific/history based things sprinkled throughout. The
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author seemed to be fond of using 3 words when 1 would do and rewording ideas multiple times. Show Less
LibraryThing member RickGeissal
Here's another book I am not competent to judge or review. I had not read anything of Foucault, and this book gave me a lot of historical information that was new for me, as well as interpretations that seemed novel and interesting. I am glad I read it. It was difficult to read.
Subjects
Awards
Language
Original language
French
Original publication date
1961 (original French)
1965 (English: Howard)
Physical description
xiii, 299 p.; 19 cm
ISBN
039471914X / 9780394719146