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Thomas Szasz

Thomas Szasz Quotes

Psychiatrist

Thomas Szasz, born on April 15, 1920 in Hungary, was a renowned American psychiatrist, writer, and philosopher. He is known for his critical views on psychiatry and liberalism, particularly his skepticism about the nature of mental illness and his emphasis on individual freedom.

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Famous Thomas Szasz Quotes

“Psychiatry does not commit human rights abuse. It is a human rights abuse.”

Humans Doe Rights Abuse Human Rights Commit Psychiatry

Author:Thomas Szasz

“When the psychiatrist approves of a person's actions, he judges that person to have acted with "free choice"; when he disapproves,he judges him to have acted without "free choice." It is small wonder that people find "free choice" a confusing idea: "free choice" appears to refer to what the person being judged (often called the "patient") does, whereas it is actually what the person making the judgment (often a psychiatrist or other mental health worker) thinks.”

People Thinking Persons Doe Ideas Action Choices Wonder Judging Judgment Mental Health Workers Patient Judged Confusing Psychiatrist Free Choice Being Judged Health Workers

Author:Thomas Szasz

“If someone does something we disapprove of, we regard him as bad if we believe we can deter him from persisting in his conduct, but we regard him as mad if we believe we cannot. In either case, the crucial issue is our control of the other: the more we lose control over him, and the more he assumes control over himself, the more, in case of conflict, we are likely to consider him mad rather than just bad.”

Ifs Believe Doe Loses Cases Issues Conflict Regard Mad Assuming Crucial Nonconformity

Book:The second sin

Source: The second sin

“If someone does something we disapprove of, we regard him as bad if we believe we can deter him from persisting in his conduct, but we regard him as mad if we believe we cannot.”

Ifs Believe Doe Regard Mad

Book:The second sin

Source: The second sin

“He who does not accept and respect those who want to reject life does not truly accept and respect life itself.”

Want Doe Accepting Respect Suicide Rejects Suicidal Respect Life

Book:The second sin

Source: The second sin

“Suicide is a fundamental human right. This does not mean that it is desirable. It only means that society does not have the moral right to interfere, by force, with a persons decision to commit this act. The result is a far-reaching infantilization and dehumanization of the suicidal person.”

Humans Mean Persons Doe Force Decision Results Moral Fundamentals Suicide Commit Reaching Interfere Desirable Suicidal Dehumanization

Author:Thomas Szasz

“Delusion: belief said to be false by someone who does not share it.”

Believe Doe Said Belief Share Delusion

Author:Thomas Szasz