A post on Szasz's politics.
I would say that describing Szasz as "right-wing" is perhaps slightly misleading.
He was certainly a libertarian and defending liberty was certainly the major basis of his thinking.
In terms of his economic views he was perhaps on the right - there is evidence of this.
But the major emphasis of his thinking - as I say - was libertarian.
If believing in freedom is not regarded as left-wing then we can have little hope for the left.
I personally regard myself as very much on the left. I would like to describe myself personally
as something like a "libertarian socialist". Noam Chomsky also describes himself as a "libertarian socialist."
I very much doubt that Szasz would ever have described himself as any kind of socialist,
and he was suspicious of mass social movements and large collectivities in general.
He seems to have regarded Freud as wanting to found such a mass movement. He was sceptical of Marxism and was I think an admirer of Karl Popper. I also personally am very much a supporter of the views of Karl Popper, both in the philosophy of science and in politics. Popper is not necessarily
regarded as being on the right. He could possibly be described as a reformist socialist.
[Karl Popper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Popper]
I think that Szasz was opposed to state provision of any kind of medicine - not
just state-backed and state-provided psychiatry. I personally am not opposed to the
collective provision of health care, as we have here in the U.K. Medical care is
undoubtedly a human right. But, like Szasz, I am in favour of the full separation
of psychiatry and the state. I do not regard psychiatry as being a legitimate part
of medicine.
Szasz was in favour of full legalization of drugs and full legalization of prostitution.
Neither position is usually regarded as "right-wing"!
Going in the other direction, as far as I am aware, Chomsky has so far been totally
silent about the work of Szasz.
Chomsky has of course written on psychology, and has been deeply critical of
behaviourism, in particular the thinking of Skinner. Unsurprisingly, Szasz was also strongly against behaviourism.
It is perfectly possible to attempt some kind of "marriage" of the philosophical,
social and political views of Chomsky with those of Szasz - and it is something
that I attempt to achieve. I think they have a great deal in common.
Both thinkers share independence, controversy, thoroughness, indefatigability and courage.
But what the two thinkers undoubtedly most share in common is a deep commitment to and belief
in human freedom.
I would say that describing Szasz as "right-wing" is perhaps slightly misleading.
He was certainly a libertarian and defending liberty was certainly the major basis of his thinking.
In terms of his economic views he was perhaps on the right - there is evidence of this.
But the major emphasis of his thinking - as I say - was libertarian.
If believing in freedom is not regarded as left-wing then we can have little hope for the left.
I personally regard myself as very much on the left. I would like to describe myself personally
as something like a "libertarian socialist". Noam Chomsky also describes himself as a "libertarian socialist."
I very much doubt that Szasz would ever have described himself as any kind of socialist,
and he was suspicious of mass social movements and large collectivities in general.
He seems to have regarded Freud as wanting to found such a mass movement. He was sceptical of Marxism and was I think an admirer of Karl Popper. I also personally am very much a supporter of the views of Karl Popper, both in the philosophy of science and in politics. Popper is not necessarily
regarded as being on the right. He could possibly be described as a reformist socialist.
[Karl Popper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Popper]
I think that Szasz was opposed to state provision of any kind of medicine - not
just state-backed and state-provided psychiatry. I personally am not opposed to the
collective provision of health care, as we have here in the U.K. Medical care is
undoubtedly a human right. But, like Szasz, I am in favour of the full separation
of psychiatry and the state. I do not regard psychiatry as being a legitimate part
of medicine.
Szasz was in favour of full legalization of drugs and full legalization of prostitution.
Neither position is usually regarded as "right-wing"!
Going in the other direction, as far as I am aware, Chomsky has so far been totally
silent about the work of Szasz.
Chomsky has of course written on psychology, and has been deeply critical of
behaviourism, in particular the thinking of Skinner. Unsurprisingly, Szasz was also strongly against behaviourism.
social and political views of Chomsky with those of Szasz - and it is something
that I attempt to achieve. I think they have a great deal in common.
Both thinkers share independence, controversy, thoroughness, indefatigability and courage.
But what the two thinkers undoubtedly most share in common is a deep commitment to and belief
in human freedom.
