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
How To Avoid a Climate Disaster
The Inimitable Jeeves
The Blank Slate
Fortitude
Blueprint
The Language Instinct
Life on the Edge
What If?
Edison
Tribe of Mentors
Diet for a Small Planet
Linchpin
The Box
Who Am I
Learn or Die
Command
East of Eden
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Am I Being Too Subtle?
Experimental Man
Empire of the Summer Moon
7 Powers
The Success Equation
Information
The Company
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
The Choice
The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership
Confessions of a Philosopher
All Out War
Swarm Troopers
Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero
Turn the Ship Around!
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Acid Test
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Keeping At It
Continental Reckoning
National Economic Planning
Holistic Management
Lost in Shangri-La
Stuff Matters
Beyond Entrepreneurship
A History of Western Technology
The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World
Cognitive Surplus
Status Anxiety
Old Man and the Sea
The Third Chimpanzee
The Road to Character
Play Anything
Stalingrad
You Can Be a Stock Market Genius
Crash Proof 2.0
Believe In People
The Friction Project
The Venture Mindset
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress
The Social Animal
Twilight of the Bombs
Take On The Street
Getting Real
Daughter of the Heartland
Eat a Peach
The Robber Barons
Manias, Panics, and Crashes
Malabar Farm
The Only Game In Town
Elon Musk
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
The E-Myth Revisited
Portfolios of the Poor
The Blazing World
Into The Silence
Built from Scratch
Savage Son
Oscar
The Alchemist
Consolations
The Diversity Myth
Little Fires Everywhere
The Art of Stillness
Ishmael
I Want To Be A Mathematician
1984
Boom
Prof. Arnold Ehret's Mucusless Diet Healing System
Atomic Habits
Connectography
The Power of Relentless
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Faith
The Farming Ladder
The Half-Life of Facts
Paper Lion
Tao Te Ching
Viral Loop
The Alliance
Pebbles of Perception
The Real Crash