An insanity factory: the history of spiritist madness in Brazil (1900-1950)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/1677-1222.2020vol20i2a15Keywords:
Brazil, Religion, History of Spiritism, Psychiatry and religion, 20th centuryAbstract
The history of spiritism and psychiatry share several common elements and intersections. There has been intense conflict between psychiatrists and spiritists regarding “Spiritist madness.” This paper investigates the construction of the representation of mediumship as madness in Brazil. Primary historical sources such as scientific papers, newspapers, books, theses, and conference proceedings were studied. Both psychiatry and spiritism sought legitimation through cultural, scientific, and institutional means within Brazilian society. These two social actors were related to urban, intellectualized classes, proposing different views and therapeutic approaches to the mind and madness. The resolution of this conflict is related to the achievement of social integration and legitimation by both spiritism and psychiatry, although in different fields.
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2020-09-28
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