Historical Development of Psychiatry from the Enlightenment
Abstract
In this study on the mechanization of psychiatry and its difficulties, we will not attempt to outline its entire history but will focus on the aspects that are most relevant to our subject. Naturally, we take the Enlightenment as our starting point, as modern thinking is fundamentally rooted in this era. Structuralism provides a key critique of Enlightenment thinking, with Michel Foucault as one of its most important figures. Foucault's critique, centered on the concept of power, offers particularly valuable insights for understanding contemporary psychiatry.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices
Foucault
Power
and Ethics
Mental Health and Psychiatry
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 16–21
- Publication date
- 10 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter