Madness and Civilization by Michel Foucault explores the historical evolution of society’s perceptions and treatment of mental illness. Foucault delves into how "madness" was seen in different eras, beginning with the Renaissance, when it was viewed as a part of human nature, and later with the Enlightenment, where society sought to segregate and control it. Foucault's work sheds light on the shifting boundaries between reason and unreason.

Why read this book

• Explores the philosophical evolution of madness in society.
• Provides critical insights into institutional power and control.
• Engages with key historical shifts in psychiatric treatment.
  

• Analysis challenges conventional understandings of mental illness, prompting readers to rethink the nature of madness in relation to societal norms.

About the Author

Michel Foucault was a French philosopher and social theorist, renowned for his works on power, institutions, and societal structures. His groundbreaking research profoundly influenced fields like philosophy, sociology, and history. His works explore the intersection of power, knowledge, and control, particularly within institutions such as psychiatry and the penal system.