Madness and the Political Divide: (Psychoanalysis, Technology, and the Future)

Madness and the Political Divide draws on psychiatry and ethics in an attempt to understand and bridge the political divide. Allen R. Dyer explores meanings of ‘madness’ in different contexts, from the medical world to a contemporary society of ‘alternate realities’. Underlying the denial of reality is the fear of unpleasant realities: existential threats such as global climate change, pandemics, and war increase anxiety and our vulnerability to the false promises of authoritarian leadership and to the erosion of democracy. With reference to psychoanalytic theory, psychology, ethics and philosophy, Dyer explores how we can balance emotions with reasoned action, not overwhelmed by fear nor underwhelmed by denial. Madness and the Political Divide will be of great interest to psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, and those in other mental health disciplines. It will be highly relevant for academics and scholars in philosophy, history and literature, and to readers interested in ethics, justice and human values.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction Acknowledgements Interlude: The Emperor’s New Clothes Chapter 1. Toward an Understanding of Madness Interlude: Cheshire Cat Logic Chapter 2. Ethics and the profession of Psychiatry Interlude: Pinocchio: Always Let your conscience be your guide. Chapter 3. The Madness of Crowds Interlude: Julius Caesar and Seditious Conspiracy Chapter 4. Madness and Misinformation: Social Media, AI, and the Perversion of Reality Interlude: Gaslighting the Shrew Chapter 5. Madness and the Moral Inversion Interlude: The Rolling Stones Chapter 6. Madness and the Human Condition Interlude: Richard III’s plea for “A horse, a horse”: Enough is never enough Chapter 7. Terror, Terror Management and Threats to Existence Interlude: Ahab’s Obsession: Rage trumps Reason Chapter 8. Narcissism reconsidered: Toward a Stable View of Self in Society Interlude: Call me Ishmael Chapter 9. Conclusion - Sanity and Survival Coda: To Thine Own Self Be True

About the Author :
Allen R. Dyer is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at The George Washington University. He is a graduate of Brown University and received MD and PhD (Ethics) degrees from Duke University. He is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the APA. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Nancy Roeske Award in Recognition of Outstanding and Sustained Contributions to Medical Education, an award and recognition for humanitarian services to the Iraqi people, and the Bruno Lima award for disaster psychiatry.

Review :
“Drawing upon his training and extensive experience in both psychiatry and ethics, Allen Dyer shows us how various forms of madness have infected our understandings of ourselves, our politics, and our world. Anyone interested in living in the real world rather than the simplistic and comforting fantasies of our times will relish Dyer’s most insightful book.” - Larry R. Churchill, PhD; Stahlman Professor of Medical Ethics, Emeritus Vanderbilt University “Madness and the Political Divide merges philosophical inquiry with real-life narratives, distilling urgency from the epidemic of social fragmentation. As an Episcopal priest, I see its relevance not only for mental health professionals but also for every institution seeking reconciliation and hope. Dyer’s engagement with justice and care provides a timely roadmap through fractured cultural terrain.” - The Rev. John T. Harwood, Ph.D.; Emeritus, Penn State; Rector, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Lewistown, PA "With brilliant insight into the current political muddle, Allen Dyer’s Madness and the Political Divide provides cogent explanations informed by his years of experience as a mental health authority and his deep spiritual core. Wildly creative Interludes based on fairy tales, Shakespeare plays and archetypal figures add lively commentary. If you’ve been struggling with the daily barrage of nonsensical speech and events, this is for you." - The Rev. Dr. Victoria R. Sirota, Episcopal priest, musician, librettist and author (Preaching to the Choir: Claiming the Role of Sacred Musician, Church Publishing) “Drawing upon his training and extensive experience in both psychiatry and ethics, Allen Dyer shows us how various forms of madness have infected our understandings of ourselves, our politics, and our world. Anyone interested in living in the real world rather than the simplistic and comforting fantasies of our times will relish Dyer’s most insightful book.” - Larry R. Churchill, PhD; Stahlman Professor of Medical Ethics, Emeritus Vanderbilt University “Madness and the Political Divide merges philosophical inquiry with real-life narratives, distilling urgency from the epidemic of social fragmentation. As an Episcopal priest, I see its relevance not only for mental health professionals but also for every institution seeking reconciliation and hope. Dyer’s engagement with justice and care provides a timely roadmap through fractured cultural terrain.” - The Rev. John T. Harwood, Ph.D.; Emeritus, Penn State; Rector, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Lewistown, PA "With brilliant insight into the current political muddle, Allen Dyer’s Madness and the Political Divide provides cogent explanations informed by his years of experience as a mental health authority and his deep spiritual core. Wildly creative Interludes based on fairy tales, Shakespeare plays and archetypal figures add lively commentary. If you’ve been struggling with the daily barrage of nonsensical speech and events, this is for you." - The Rev. Dr. Victoria R. Sirota, Episcopal priest, musician, librettist and author (Preaching to the Choir: Claiming the Role of Sacred Musician, Church Publishing)