The Philosopher Café

August 15, 2007

I.                   Introduction/Book/Media Discussion – 6:00 – 6:15

o      Birth of the Clinic - The Archeology of Medical Perception, Michael Foucault

How did the medical establishment get to the position of power it now wields?   How did illness go from being a crime to being something we treat with compassion?  Is it really compassion?

o       Madness and Civilization, Michael Foucault

Foucault does a genealogy, a look at the origins of the treatment of mental illness and a finds surprising past with implications on the present.

 

II.                 Discussion:  Is the medical establishment looking out for our best interests?

           6:15 – 7:15 PM

 

III.               Introduction – Power and the Medical Establishment     7:15 – 7:45 PM

 

·        Power and the Medical Establishment

·       Who controls the labels?

·       Labels and Delineation

·       Abnormality vs. Desired Behavior

§       Retarded vs. Genius

§        Anxiety vs. Brave

·        What’s Normal?

·       We can help you.

·        How far can the medical perspective go?

§       Criminal behavior

§        Differences -> Genetics

§        It’s not my fault, you see I’m just…

 

IV.              Wrap up/Final Thoughts