Insanity: The Effect of the Scientific Revolution on the Treatment of Mental Illness
Date
April 2022
Location
Schewel 207
Description
This paper discusses the effect of the scientific revolution on the treatment of mental illness. Specific ailments analyzed include melancholia and dementia, and misdiagnoses are briefly touched on. In essence, it is argued that the scientific revolution not only made the treatment of mental illness more humane, but increased the popularity of pharmaceutical treatments while decreasing the religiously-based and physical treatments that were prevalent prior to the 1800s. Likewise, it is argued that misdiagnoses became less prevalent and thus treatments were more effective. Works analyzed include those of Benjamin Rush, Philippe Pinel, and J.E.D. Esquirol, whose methodology is still referenced today.
Presentation Type
Presentation
Insanity: The Effect of the Scientific Revolution on the Treatment of Mental Illness
Schewel 207
This paper discusses the effect of the scientific revolution on the treatment of mental illness. Specific ailments analyzed include melancholia and dementia, and misdiagnoses are briefly touched on. In essence, it is argued that the scientific revolution not only made the treatment of mental illness more humane, but increased the popularity of pharmaceutical treatments while decreasing the religiously-based and physical treatments that were prevalent prior to the 1800s. Likewise, it is argued that misdiagnoses became less prevalent and thus treatments were more effective. Works analyzed include those of Benjamin Rush, Philippe Pinel, and J.E.D. Esquirol, whose methodology is still referenced today.