Doerner, Klaus. Madmen and the Bourgeoisie: A Social History of Insanity and Psychiatry. 1969. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1981.

Grinnell library catalog page

This book examines the relationship between sociology and psychiatry, following a theme which Doerner states "is the relationship between the insane and the community that made psychiatrists its professional surrogates in its dealings with the insane" (1). That is, Doerner examines how the science of psychiatry stems from the relationship between the citizens and the insane during the "political and industrial-capitalist bourgeois social revolution" (1). Doerner underscores how the process of this science links to class struggle.

In keeping with his social emphasis, Doerner divides his book into three sections: Great Britain, France, and Germany. Three chapters construct each section. Chapters in the France section establish relationships between scientists and the Revolution that are invaluable to 1790s research. Likewise, the Great Britain section goes into great depths concerning both literary and political precursors to this time period. At every moment in the book, Doerner examines the genesis of medicine of the human mind in connection with the genesis of revolution.

Entered by Elisa on 03 August 2004 at 1:42 PM.