“This is why a tainted society has invented psychiatry to defend itself against the investigations of certain superior intellects whose faculties of divination would be troublesome.No, van Gogh was not mad, but his paintings were bursts of Greek fire, atomic bombs, whose angle of vision would have been capable of seriously upsetting the spectral conformity of thebourgeoisie.In comparison with the lucidity of van Gogh, psychiatry is no better than a den of apes who are themselves obsessed and persecuted and who possess nothing to mitigate the most appalling states of anguish and human suffocation but a ridiculous terminology. To a man, this whole gang of pected scoundrels and patented quacks are all erotomaniacs.”

Quote Analysis

In this quote, Antonin Artaud criticizes society's use of psychiatry as a means of defending itself against individuals with superior intellects. He argues that figures like Vincent van Gogh, often labeled as "mad" by society, actually possess a unique vision that challenges the conventional norms of the bourgeoisie. Artaud suggests that van Gogh's art, characterized as "bursts of Greek fire, atomic bombs," holds the power to disrupt the status quo and provoke introspection. He dismisses psychiatry as a shallow attempt to label and control those who do not conform, likening practitioners to "a den of apes" with a futile and superficial approach to addressing human anguish. Artaud's critique positions artistic expression as a potent force that transcends the limitations of psychiatric discourse.

Modern Relevance of Artaud's Critique on Psychiatry

Antonin Artaud's scathing critique of psychiatry still holds relevance in modern society, as the field continues to grapple with issues of power, control, and the labeling of mental illness. Artaud's assertion that society uses psychiatry to suppress and homogenize those with divergent thinking or creative genius is reflected in ongoing debates about the pathologization of difference and the medicalization of human experience. His call for a reevaluation of societal norms and a rejection of the psychiatric establishment's authority resonates with contemporary movements advocating for mental health parity, alternative approaches to healing, and a more inclusive understanding of mental well-being.

Antonin Artaud on Psychiatry

"This is why a tainted society has invented psychiatry to defend itself against the investigations of certain superior intellects whose faculties of divination would be troublesome. No, van Gogh was not mad, but his paintings were bursts of Greek fire, atomic bombs, whose angle of vision would have been capable of seriously upsetting the spectral conformity of the bourgeoisie. In comparison with the lucidity of van Gogh, psychiatry is no better than a den of apes who are themselves obsessed and persecuted and who possess nothing to mitigate the most appalling states of anguish and human suffocation but a ridiculous terminology. To a man, this whole gang of pected scoundrels and patented quacks are all erotomaniacs." - Antonin Artaud

Reflection Questions

Reflecting on the quote by Antonin Artaud, consider the following questions:

1. How do you interpret Artaud's comparison of van Gogh's art to atomic bombs and the impact it had on society?
2. Do you agree with his assertion that psychiatry is a tool of society to suppress unconventional thinking and creativity?
3. How do you view the role of psychiatry in contemporary society, particularly in regards to mental health treatment and understanding of creativity?
4. What are the implications of dismissing and pathologizing individuals with divergent thinking and behavior, as discussed by Artaud?
5. In what ways can we challenge societal norms and embrace unconventional forms of expression and creativity without resorting to psychiatric labels?