Madness and Civilization

"Madness and Civilization," by Michel Foucault, explores how society has historically viewed and treated mental illness. He argues that in earlier times, madness was often marginalized, confined, or hidden away, reflecting societal fears and power structures. Over centuries, ideas about mental health shifted from mere imprisonment to attempts at understanding and controlling mental states. Foucault shows that definitions of madness are shaped by cultural, political, and scientific changes, revealing that our perceptions of mental illness are not just about health but also about how power and knowledge influence social norms and control.