Practicing Thomas Szasz: Continuing the Work of the Philosopher of Liberty

The book, Practicing Thomas Szasz: Continuing the Work of the Philosopher of Liberty, has little to do with practicing Thomas Szasz. Instead, the author John Breeding tries to fit Szasz into his own version of what he thinks Szasz represents - a raised fist to psychiatry. Unfortunately, Breeding does not understand Szasz and therefore cannot … Continue reading Practicing Thomas Szasz: Continuing the Work of the Philosopher of Liberty →

Feeling Good Together: The Secret to Making Troubled Relationships Work

Feeling Good Together: The Secret to Making Troubled Relationships Work, is a book about relationships by psychiatrist David Burns. As the subtitle implies, Burns claims to have the secret to making troubled relationships work. What is this secret you might ask? In a nutshell: If you want to make a troubled relationship work, one person … Continue reading Feeling Good Together: The Secret to Making Troubled Relationships Work →

The Untamed Tongue: A Dissenting Dictionary

Thomas Szasz’s book of witty aphorisms, The Untamed Tongue: A Dissenting Dictionary, is both insightful and hilarious. If you are just starting out with Szasz, and want to understand his views, I suggest one of his books of aphorisms, such as The Untamed Tongue as a place to start. The book is divided by categories of … Continue reading The Untamed Tongue: A Dissenting Dictionary →

The Second Sin

The Second Sin is a biting collection of aphorisms, witticisms, and thoughts on life from Thomas Szasz. Reading Szasz’s collection of witty quotes is the closest most of us will get to asking Szasz questions about life’s vicissitudes. You can view a free PDF copy of it online or buy it for its beautiful cover. … Continue reading The Second Sin →

Thomas Szasz on Psychotherapy

Thomas Szasz was a psychiatrist who opposed the practice of coercive psychiatry, called mental illness a myth, psychotherapy a myth, and even said the mind was a myth. Given this, how did Szasz go about practicing so-called psychotherapy for the majority of his life? Szasz seems to have befuddled the rest of his colleagues. He … Continue reading Thomas Szasz on Psychotherapy →

The Meaning of Mind: Language, Morality, and Neuroscience

In his book, The Meaning of Mind: Language, Morality and Neuroscience, Thomas Szasz explains his concept of the mind. Szasz's writes: "My aim of this book is to present a systematic exploration and exposition of the thesis that minding is the ability to pay attention and adapt to one's environment by using language to communicate … Continue reading The Meaning of Mind: Language, Morality, and Neuroscience →