Madness in Civilisation

Pre-eminent historian of psychiatry Andrew Scull will discuss the history of the encounter between Reason and Unreason. His lecture will focus on the eighteenth century, reflecting the interests of the late medical historian Roy Porter, and will look at the ways cultures responded to the seemingly irrational, psychotic, and insane.

Andrew Scull is Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Science Studies at the University of California, San Diego. His books include Hysteria: The Disturbing History; Madhouse: A Tragic Tale of Megalomania and Modern Medicine; and Masters of Bedlam: The Transformation.