Episode 198: Is Mental Illness a Myth? (Thomas Szasz's "The Myth of Mental Illness")

David and Tamler explore Thomas Szasz's provocative and still relevant 1961 book "The Myth of Mental Illness," the topic selected by our beloved Patreon supporters. When we think of mental disorders as "diseases," are we making a category mistake? Are we turning ordinary "problems in living" into pathologies that must be treated (with pills or psychoanalysis)? Does this model rob us of our autonomy in direct or indirect ways? Plus, with VBW 200 only 2 episodes away we give our top 3 dream guests, and David dons his punditry cap to break down the first presidential debate, which already seems like six months ago.

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Links:

• Agnes Callard | Department of Philosophy
• David Chase - Wikipedia
• Donald Glover - Wikipedia
• David Lynch - Wikipedia
• Pedro Martínez - Wikipedia
• Elon Musk's Neuralink is neuroscience theater | MIT Technology Review
• Thomas Szasz - Wikipedia
• The Myth of Mental Illness - Wikipedia