An Analysis of the Views of Thomas S. Szasz

Abstract

Szasz’ thesis that there is no such thing as mental illness, that psychiatrists are persecutors, oppressors, and torturers, and that the so-called mentally ill should be treated like everybody else is analyzed in detail. The analysis reveals that Szasz fails to support his views with appropriate evidence, ignores crucial evidence contrary to these views, makes egregious mistakes of logic, engages in various forms of “word magic,” and commits blatant factual and legal errors.