ABSTRACT
Madness in Experience and History brings together experience and history to show their impact on madness or mental illness.
Drawing on the writings of two twentieth-century French philosophers, Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Michel Foucault, the author pairs a phenomenological approach with an archaeological approach to present a new perspective on mental illness as an experience that arises out of common behavioral patterns and shared historical structures. Many today feel frustrated with the medical model because of its deficiencies in explaining mental illness. In response, the author argues that we must integrate human experiences of mental disorders with the history of mental disorders to have a full account of mental health and to make possible a more holistic care.
Scholars in the humanities and mental health practitioners will appreciate how such an analysis not only offers a greater understanding of mental health, but also a fresh take on discovering value in diverse human experiences.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|36 pages
Introducing the United Approach
part II|54 pages
Merleau-Ponty
part III|54 pages
Foucault
part IV|55 pages
Synthesizing Merleau-Ponty and Foucault
part V|22 pages
Toward an Application