Madness in Experience and History Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology and Foucault’s Archaeology Psychology and the Other Series

Madness in Experience and History brings together experience and history to show their impact on madness or mental illness.

Drawing on the writings of two twentieth-century French philosophers, Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Michel Foucault, the author pairs a phenomenological approach with an archaeological approach to present a new perspective on mental illness as an experience that arises out of common behavioral patterns and shared historical structures. Many today feel frustrated with the medical model because of its deficiencies in explaining mental illness. In response, the author argues that we must integrate human experiences of mental disorders with the history of mental disorders to have a full account of mental health and to make possible a more holistic care.

Scholars in the humanities and mental health practitioners will appreciate how such an analysis not only offers a greater understanding of mental health, but also a fresh take on discovering value in diverse human experiences.

Part I: Introducing the United Approach; Introduction; 1. The Case for Unity: Integrating Experience in History; Part II: Merleau-Ponty: Madness and the Pre-Rational; 2. Phenomenology of the Pre-Rational; 3. Phenomenology of Madness; Part III: Foucault: Madness and the Irrational; 4. Archaeology of the Irrational; 5. Archaeology of Madness; Part IV: Synthesizing Merleau-Ponty and Foucault; 6. Merleau-Ponty vs. Foucault; 7. Resolving the Problems: Uniting the Perspectives of Merleau-Ponty and Foucault; Part V: Toward an Application; 8. The Strength of a United Approach: Implications for Psychology; Conclusion

Hannah Lyn Venable, PhD, works in ethics and continental philosophy, especially existentialism, phenomenology and post-structuralism. Her articles have appeared in the journals Foucault Studies, Religions, Journal of Speculative Philosophy and Philosophy & Theology. She has taught at the University of Dallas, Texas State University and Trinity University and is now an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Mary.