The Therapeutic Turn

How Psychology Altered Western Culture

Ole Jacob Madsen

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"The Therapeutic Turn" by Ole Jacob Madsen is a groundbreaking exploration of the shift towards therapy in our modern society. Madsen examines the factors contributing to this phenomenon, including the rise of individualism, the quest for self-improvement, and the influence of popular culture. By tracing the historical development of the therapeutic mindset, Madsen sheds light on its pervasive presence in today's social, political, and cultural spheres.

Drawing on extensive research from psychology, sociology, and philosophy, Madsen dissects the underlying principles and practices of the therapeutic turn. He investigates the therapeutic relationship as a mutual exchange of expert knowledge, exploring how this dynamic shapes our understanding of selfhood and wellbeing. Additionally, Madsen critically evaluates the ethical implications of the therapeutic turn, questioning its potential for depoliticization and the erasure of social responsibility.

With a nuanced perspective, Madsen challenges the prevailing assumption that therapy provides the ultimate solution to individual and societal issues. By interrogating the therapeutic turn's impact on notions of identity, agency, and community, Madsen encourages readers to critically engage with the therapeutic mindset and consider the broader societal implications of our increasingly therapeutic culture.

"The Therapeutic Turn" offers a thought-provoking analysis of the permeation of therapeutic ideas and practices in contemporary society. Madsen's comprehensive exploration will appeal to scholars, practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay between therapy, selfhood, and the broader social context.

Explore More Books

See All
Well
Toussaint Louverture
Diaspora
Six Easy Pieces
Kingpin
The Undoing Project
Wake Up to the Joy of You
Carry on, Jeeves
Kelly
Where Mountains Roar
Where Wizards Stay Up Late
Uncommon Measure
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The Right Call
Crossing the Chasm
Anthropic Bias
Intellectuals and Race
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
From Headless Chicken to Golden Goose
Talent
Forged in Crisis
The Viral Storm
Tent Life in Siberia
Lying
Essays and Lectures
The French Revolution and What Went Wrong
Diffusion of Innovations
Steve Jobs & The NeXT Big Thing
The Plant Paradox
The Kite Runner
The Origin of Wealth
How Nature Works
On The Move
Scale
Little Leaders
Fahrenheit 451
Burn
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover
The Dragons of Eden
Law, Legislation, and Liberty
The Closing of the American Mind
Fortune's Formula
How Will You Measure Your Life?
Shantaram
Architects of the Web
The Innovators Dilemma
The Great Revolt
Diaminds
Our Final Invention
Layered Money
The Marked Children
On Being Certain: Believing You Are Right When You're Not
The Fabric of Reality
Right Thing, Right Now
The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Whiskey Know-It-All
Mohammed and Charlemagne
The Ambiguities of Experience
Failing Forward
Total Freedom
The Hunger Games
Academically Adrift
American Exceptionalism
The Red Queen
Educated
Leadership the Outward Bound Way
Pandemic 1918
The Persian Expedition
Simple Rules
Empire
The Dog Stars
Dynasty
Competing in the Age of AI
More Heat Than Light
The Course of Love
A Mathematician's Lament
Waking Up
The Back of the Napkin
Glass
Masters of Doom
Success
The Coming Wave
Exponential Organizations
Pasture Perfect
The Robotics Primer
The Martians of Science
This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends
Rainbows End
Obsession
The Compleat Strategyst
All The Light We Cannot See
Guns, Germs, and Steel
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln
The Passage of Power
Eating The Big Fish
Plants of the Gods
The Accidental Universe
Permaculture: A Designer's Manual
Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar
The Man Who Knew Infinity
Ordinary Men