2 ms·

It's not that avoiding an arrest or other police involvement isn't an improvement. It is. But it's easy to assume anyone committed to a psychiatric facility oug

It's not that avoiding an arrest or other police involvement isn't an improvement. It is. But it's easy to assume anyone committed to a psychiatric facility ought to be rehabilitated to society. Often you could just as justifiably argue the other way around.

enkid 6y ago
What's the other way around? I'm having difficulty parsing what you mean.
- walleeee 6y ago
  That the social body might learn to accommodate some ways of being which defy initial expectations, rather than altering individuals to conform to rigid norms. When certain behaviors are thought worthy of institutionalization, it may reflect a narrowness of heart and mind in the majority rather than a social danger.
- bigwavedave 6y ago
  I could be wrong, but I believe this is what the parent is saying: a) that people assume anyone committed to a mental institution should be rehabilitated and b) one could argue that this assumption is often false and that they shouldn't be rehabilitated. It sounds like they're saying that if someone is committed to a mental institution, rehabilitation could be a bad idea because it's just as likely that they're not fit for society. note: not agreeing with the above points, simply trying to interpret them.
  - XorNot 6y ago
    Except then they're not going to be released on account of demonstratably being an ongoing risk to society. Of course this concern runs exactly contra to the "medical authoritarian" one further up. Frankly, which is it that means a successful program as the article notes shouldn't be continued?
  - walleeee 6y ago
    > It sounds like they're saying that if someone is committed to a mental institution, rehabilitation could be a bad idea because it's just as likely that they're not fit for society. I'm saying if we make unexamined assumptions about who's "fit for society" it's easy to sacrifice non-normative people on the alter of social harmony. What is viewed as requiring rehabilitation can reflect neuroses endemic to the broader cultural context, not merely or necessarily the dysfunction of the institutionalized individual. It's a two-way mirror.
imtringued 6y ago
The article is not about committing people to a psychiatric facility. That's a strawman.
- walleeee 6y ago
  Article isn't, but parent comment is. With respect, I didn't strawman anyone.

enkid 6y ago

What's the other way around? I'm having difficulty parsing what you mean.

walleeee 6y ago
That the social body might learn to accommodate some ways of being which defy initial expectations, rather than altering individuals to conform to rigid norms. When certain behaviors are thought worthy of institutionalization, it may reflect a narrowness of heart and mind in the majority rather than a social danger.
bigwavedave 6y ago
I could be wrong, but I believe this is what the parent is saying: a) that people assume anyone committed to a mental institution should be rehabilitated and b) one could argue that this assumption is often false and that they shouldn't be rehabilitated. It sounds like they're saying that if someone is committed to a mental institution, rehabilitation could be a bad idea because it's just as likely that they're not fit for society. note: not agreeing with the above points, simply trying to interpret them.
- XorNot 6y ago
  Except then they're not going to be released on account of demonstratably being an ongoing risk to society. Of course this concern runs exactly contra to the "medical authoritarian" one further up. Frankly, which is it that means a successful program as the article notes shouldn't be continued?
- walleeee 6y ago
  > It sounds like they're saying that if someone is committed to a mental institution, rehabilitation could be a bad idea because it's just as likely that they're not fit for society. I'm saying if we make unexamined assumptions about who's "fit for society" it's easy to sacrifice non-normative people on the alter of social harmony. What is viewed as requiring rehabilitation can reflect neuroses endemic to the broader cultural context, not merely or necessarily the dysfunction of the institutionalized individual. It's a two-way mirror.

imtringued 6y ago

The article is not about committing people to a psychiatric facility. That's a strawman.

walleeee 6y ago
Article isn't, but parent comment is. With respect, I didn't strawman anyone.