History of madness
The Doctoral thesis of Michel Foucault explores the meaning of Madness in European History. In simple terms, it delves into the concept of things that can be perceived as "madness" and are verbalized, based on historical context.
Foucault argues that madness transitioned from being ridiculed to being despised over time. He observed this transition by studying the public's reaction to the 'Ship of Fools' in the 15th century. The 'Foolish Ship' was a literal representation of the exclusion of madness, as it mocked and entertained the masses. Michel Foucault discovered the transition of madness from being ridiculed to being despised by observing the public's reaction to the 'Ship of Fools' over time
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According to the History of Madness - Wikipedia, Foucault's intention was not to explain mental illnesses within medical categories, but to understand the historical dimensions of madness that have transformed in Western society. His work criticizes the neglect of historical practices in previous human sciences. Highlights & Notes Foucault's approach in this context is both critical and fascinating. tkgshn.icon*3
During the Renaissance Period, madness was treated as a rich and abundant phenomenon. The concept of the Madman embodied the idea that humans cannot reach the divine reason of God. It does not carry a negative connotation. tkgshn.icon*2 Even if one were a madman, they would be forgiven. This concept of the Madman is frequently mentioned in Kyoto's Average Temperature in relation to the legend of eccentrics. Europe (specifically Medieval Europe) had a practice of exporting and importing individuals who were considered "Crazy," such as mentally ill persons, individuals with ADHD, and artists.
The paintings of Bosch and Bruegel depict the essence of Madness. They represent the anxiety of death and the chaos of the universe. One notable example is Bruegel's "Tower of Babel," which is considered a representative work. I would love to visit Medieval Europe to explore these artistic representations. tkgshn.icon*4
In the 18th century, madness began to be treated as if observing reason itself. This shift in the treatment of madness parallels the changing structures of society, such as the Increasing Number of Mental Illnesses and Developmental Disorders. It raises the question of whether 'madness=bad thing' became a modern concept. tkgshn.icon*3 Did 'madness=bad thing' become modern?
I started reading this around 2022/12/25 after borrowing it from my Uncle's bookshelf. The following links provide visual references: https://gyazo.com/f70e4ee39dc44805248c0aa0141912ba https://gyazo.com/654ec2240df527ab071063943a878d90