How the History of Madness Reveals Hidden Power Structures? - The Philosophy of Michel Foucault

This is the first video in a new series exploring the work of the French philosopher Michel Foucault. We begin with his first book, Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason.

At first glance, this work appears to be a history of madness and its treatment in Western society. However, Foucault goes beyond this and makes a much deeper analysis of where Power lies in society and how it is always tied to knowledge.

In Madness and Civilization, Michel Foucault examines the shifting perceptions and treatments of mental illness in Western history. He examines how society has defined madness, not as a scientific medical condition, but as a cultural construct shaped by power, morality, and social norms.

He begins by exploring Greek Antiquity and the Middle Ages when madness wasn’t seen as a threat and was fully integrated into society. It was even considered sometimes as a form of divine disorder. This perspective changed in the 17th century when madness started to become associated with unreason and exclusion.

This shift led to the establishment of asylums, not as places to cure madness but to confine and isolate those who did not conform to the dominant social norms. It wasn’t until the 19th century that madness began to be studied and analyzed from a scientific perspective.

Behind this evolution of the meaning of madness lies an attempt to seize and maintain power, a theme I will explore further in this series.


Who is Michel Foucault, and why is he considered one of the most important philosophers of the 20th century? What does Foucault mean by the relationship between power and knowledge, and how are they connected? How does Foucault link the meaning of madness to attempts at seizing power? Who benefits from the way madness is defined in society? Why does Western society exclude certain groups before attempting to understand or study them?

Who Am I?

Hello everyone,

My name is Moustafa, and I'm the creator of Beyond Theory. I’ve been studying philosophy as an autodidact for the past ten years, and last year, I decided to share my passion with the world by creating videos that break down complex philosophical ideas in a simple, practical way.

I believe philosophy shouldn’t be confined to academia because it has the power to help us navigate the complexities of the modern world and live more meaningful lives.

I hope you find something valuable in my content. If you enjoy it, please consider subscribing, commenting, and liking it, it truly means a lot to me.

Thank you for your support!
Moustafa

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
02:25 Middle Ages
04:49 The Hôpital Général
07:58 The Classical Age
10:50 Doctor’s Power
15:35 Conclusion

Books
Michel Foucault - Madness and Civilization
Michel Foucault - Discipline and Punish
Michel Foucault - The Order of Things
Michel Foucault - History of Sexuality
Michel Foucault - The Birth of the Clinic
Thomas Szasz - The Manufacture of Madness

Paintings - Wikimedia Commons
https://drive.google.com/drive/folder...

Video title suggestions for the al go!:
Michel Foucault: Madness and Civilization Explained
How Society Redefined Madness to Maintain Power and Order
Why the History of Madness Reveals Hidden Power Structures
How Madness Uncovers the Relationship Between Power and Knowledge
How the History of Madness Reveals the Connection Between Power and Knowledge

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