Art and the Homeless

… what contribution did Esquirol make to the concept of ideology; Jean-Étienne Dominique Esquirol, a prominent French psychiatrist of the 19th century, made significant contributions to the field of psychiatry, but his direct contributions to the concept of ideology are less pronounced compared to his work in mental health. However, his influence on the broader intellectual and social context of his time indirectly impacted the development of ideological theories. Here is a detailed exploration of his contributions and their relevance to the concept of ideology: Esquirol's Work in Psychiatry Esquirol was a student of Philippe Pinel, a pioneer in the humane treatment of the mentally ill. He continued and expanded upon Pinel's work, advocating for the reform of mental health care and the establishment of specialized psychiatric hospitals. Esquirol's contributions to psychiatry include: 1. Reform of Mental Health Care: Esquirol was instrumental in the law reforms of 1838, whic...

Antoine Destutt de Tracy and Ideology Antoine Destutt de Tracy coined the term "ideology" in 1796 to name his own "science of ideas," which he detailed in his five-volume work "Éléments d'idéologie" published between 1817 and 1818. He defined ideology as the study of how sensorially based cognitive processes of ideation inform the epistemological determinations of various fields such as grammar, logic, and political economy. This work was influential, particularly in the United States where Thomas Jefferson translated and published two of his manuscripts, including "Éléments d'idéologie" and "Commentaire sur l'esprit des lois de Montesquieu." Jefferson thought highly of Tracy's work, believing it would protect public industry from harmful institutions. Tracy's ideas were also influential in Europe, impacting thinkers like Stendhal and Augustin Thierry, and played a role in the liberal revolutions of the early 19th ce...

In 1975, Pepsi-Cola launched an advertising campaign called The Pepsi Challenge. It is an example of what I call a false dilemma. What one "likes" does not matter. A true test is if a test subject can tell which-is-which. That would be an objective test. Give me the percentage of a random sample that cannot tell the difference between Pepsi and Coke. That would present a problem, a dilemma; why cannot some taste the difference? The no-difference cohort would appear to be a problem for both Pepsi and Coke: what is the rate of tasters who can't tell the difference, and how do we get them to taste the difference? When I was a child I loved “7-up” brand soda pop. I was always begging for it. Once, as a joke, my father gave me a cup of water instead. I took one sip, looked up, and said, "What is this?" It wasn't that I didn't know the difference between water and soda pop. It was that he was testing me—teasing me—and I have been wary ever since. I screamed, ...

The natural history of the Grand Opera is the evolution of the primitive trial-by-ordeal of criminals. Today we limit cruel and unusual punishment. In the ancient world, sadistic pleasure was taken in the screams of the tortured. Playwrights memorialized real court battles in ritual, eventually staged as formal plays. Examples supporting this theory are countless, both historically, and in the arts. The one cited here is a very, very old production from Egypt, a stylized court drama, with dramatic and interpretive possibilities for actors: ... what is the synopsis of the ancient Egyptian tale of the peasant and the workman; The Peasant and the Workman The ancient Egyptian tale of the Peasant and the Workman is a story that highlights the social and economic disparities in ancient Egypt. It is the story of a peasant who is traveling to Henen-seten and encounters a workman who obstructs his path, leading to a crime. The peasant, Khun-Anup, seeks justice but finds it challenging due to th...

Žižek, cinema, and psychoanalysis Slavoj Žižek indeed worked in various media, with a notable example being his three-part film "The Pervert's Guide to Cinema" (2006), directed by Sophie Fiennes. This documentary explores a wide range of films from a philosophical and psychoanalytic perspective, delving into themes of desire, the death drive, and more. Additionally, “Zizek!”, a documentary about Žižek, was released in 2005. This film provides insights into Slavoj Žižek's life and work, further showcasing his influence in both academic and popular media. ... this sounds entertaining my hesitation is that psychoanalysis is a medical treatment for people not films or objects; Your point is well-taken. Psychoanalysis, as developed by Sigmund Freud, is indeed primarily a method for treating mental health issues and understanding the human psyche. However, the application of psychoanalytic theory to films and cultural objects is a common practice in academic and critical an...

This is a book “review,” or, more modestly, a book report.  The book is about homelessness, the subject of my art work, and my painting. The book's title caught my eye and I bought a used copy from an Internet book seller. What is unusual about my report is the intentional redaction of anything that might enable my reader to identify the book, obtain a copy, and read it for himself. Hopefully, there is nothing contained herein that might “dox” the writer of the book under my review. It is done in accord with the book writer's own (implied) request. On page 2, of the book's preface, the author writes:  It could derail my career, hurt my family, and marginalize me even more. Understood. Your book will be reviewed confidentially, treated as an “unnamed source,” or any anonymous tip. All that remains to be added by me is, “these are not necessarily the views of the publisher.” If asked to provide a one-line synopsis, it would read, “A gripping testimonial of being powerless t...

... what is the essence of advocacy its common denominator in its many different manifestations; The essence of advocacy, common across its various forms, is the act of supporting a particular action or cause to influence change. Advocacy involves standing up for the rights, interests, or needs of individuals or groups, and it can take many forms, including self-advocacy, individual advocacy, and systems advocacy. The core principles of advocacy include: - Promoting Rights and Interests: Advocacy aims to ensure that individuals or groups have their rights and interests respected and represented. This can involve speaking up for oneself or on behalf of others. - Empowerment: Advocacy seeks to empower individuals or groups to have a voice and to take control of their lives. This is particularly important for vulnerable or marginalized populations. - Influence and Change: Advocacy involves efforts to influence decisions, policies, and practices within political, economic, and social insti...

... where do we get the expression idée fixe or fixed idea; The term "idée fixe" is French, literally meaning "fixed idea," and was first used in the early 19th Century to describe an obsessive or persistent idea. Some synonyms of "idée fixe" include obsession, fixation, and preoccupation. Antonyms of "idée fixe" include indifference, apathy, and disinterest. ... was early 19th Century use of idee fixe scientific, medical, or literary; The term "idée fixe" emerged in the early 19th century with both medical and literary significance. In a medical context, the term was introduced around 1812 by French psychiatrist Jean-Étienne Dominique Esquirol, who used it to describe a single, pathological preoccupation in an otherwise sound mind, a condition he associated with monomania.  Monomania referred to a range of pathologies, but an idée fixe specifically denoted an unhealthy fixation on a single object or idea, often linked to a traumatic ex...