Madness and Civilization

Michel Foucault's most admired book is an incisive history of changing attitudes toward mental illness of Western Europe between 1500 and 1800. Madness and Civilization investigates the archeology of madness, tracing shifting perceptions through changes in the culture, laws, politics, philosophy, and medical practices of the West. In the late Middle Ages, insanity was still considered part of everyday life and people who were commonly labeled fools and lunatics walked the streets freely. It was only later on, when such people began to be considered a threat, that asylums were first built and walls were erected between the "insane" and the rest of humanity. For those fascinated by the evolution of mental health and its impact on society both in the past and now, Madness and Civilization is an illuminating and indispensable read.

Michel Foucault's most admired book is an incisive history of changing attitudes toward mental illness of Western Europe between 1500 and 1800. Madness and Civilization investigates the archeology of madness, tracing shifting perceptions through changes in the culture, laws, politics, philosophy, and medical practices of the West. In the late Middle Ages, insanity was still considered part of everyday life and people who were commonly labeled fools and lunatics walked the streets freely. It was only later on, when such people began to be considered a threat, that asylums were first built and walls were erected between the "insane" and the rest of humanity. For those fascinated by the evolution of mental health and its impact on society both in the past and now, Madness and Civilization is an illuminating and indispensable read.

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.

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.