Madness and the Political Divide

Madness and the Political Divide draws on psychiatry and ethics in an attempt to understand and bridge the political divide. Allen R. Dyer explores meanings of “madness” in different contexts, from the medical world to a contemporary society of “alternate realities.” Underlying the denial of reality is the fear of unpleasant realities: existential threats such as global climate change, pandemics, and war increase anxiety and our vulnerability to the false promises of authoritarian leadership and to the erosion of democracy. With reference to psychoanalytic theory, psychology, ethics, and philosophy, Dyer explores how we can balance emotions with reasoned action, not overwhelmed by fear nor underwhelmed by denial. Madness and the Political Divide will be of great interest to psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, and those in other mental health disciplines. It will be highly relevant for academics and scholars in philosophy, history, and literature, and for readers interested in ethics, justice, and human values.