The Economics of Szasz: Preferences, Constraints, and Mental Illness

In the paper, The Economics of Szasz: Preferences, Constraints, and Mental Illness, Bryan Caplan summarizes Thomas Szasz’s views on mental illness and translates them into the language of economics. Caplan is an economist with a wide variety of interests. He is an interesting writer, thinker, and regularly provokes conversation on Twitter and his blog. Caplan won … Continue reading The Economics of Szasz: Preferences, Constraints, and Mental Illness →

Heresies

The book Heresies by Thomas Szasz delivers insights into the human condition. It has a cool cover as well! Reading Heresies was a delight. It is like having a conversation with a wise friend. If you have not delved into Szasz's aphoristic books, take a look at the many quotes I've reproduced in my post of … Continue reading Heresies →

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 →

Our Right To Drugs: The Case for a Free Market

Does a person have a right to take drugs, grow plants, and self-medicate in the privacy of their own home? In the book, Our Right to Drugs: The Case for a Free Market, Thomas Szasz points out obvious: people have taken drugs since time immemorial, they take drugs to make themselves feel better, induce unusual … Continue reading Our Right To Drugs: The Case for a Free Market →

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 →