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Recent lectures by Thomas S. Szasz, MD, now available on videotape for purchase

Two videotapes featuring lectures by Thomas Szasz are now available from the following address:

Mr. Scott E. Burke
TV Producer/Video Resource Coordinator
Instructional Technology Center
111 Varner Hall
Oakland University
Rochester, Michigan 48309-4401
USA

Each videotape costs $25.00 USD. The cost includes shipping and handling. Also, before tapes will be sent, a check or money order made out to Oakland University should be sent to Scott Burke at the above address. Once money has been received tapes will be shipped within two weeks.

Tape I
The Myth of Mental Illness: Past & Future
Lecture by Thomas S. Szasz, M.D.
Commentary by Ralph Slovenko, J.D., Ph.D.
Moderated by Professor Ronald M. Swartz
Thursday, November 21, 2003
Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes

Tape II
The Therapeutic State: Past & Future
Lecture by Thomas S. Szasz, M.D.
Commentary by Ralph Slovenko, J.D., Ph.D.
Moderated by Professor Ronald M. Swartz
Thursday, November 22, 2003
Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes

The Thomas Szasz lectures at Oakland University provide commentary on questions such as:

  • Do the legal and medical practices in liberal democratic societies support and/or subvert the kinds of freedoms articulated in laws such as the First Amendment?

  • Have liberal democratic societies such as the United States and Canada endorsed laws that give medical practitioners such as psychiatrists a reasonable amount of power to control the behavior of those who are viewed as mentally ill?

  • Do the laws used to control the behaviors of those identified as mentally ill give too much power to psychiatrists?

  • Is it wise for a society to use legally sanctioned medical practices as a means for dealing with and controlling behavior?

  • What kinds of laws are necessary for guarding against and punishing dangerous deviant behaviors?

  • Who should decide when a deviant behavior is dangerous?

  • How can a society protect the rights of those people who are deviant, but not dangerous?

  • Is psychiatry being used as a means for the social control of deviant behavior or is it a means for controlling illness?

  • Should liberal democratic societies such as the United States have laws which deny adults access to drugs that an individual wishes to use?

    For more information, contact Professor Ronald Swartz swartz@oakland.edu

    Thomas S. Szasz Cybercenter for Liberty and Responsibility:
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