Medical Nemesis
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1975
294
Book • Nonfiction
1970s
1975
Adult
18+ years
In Medical Nemesis: The Expropriation of Health (1975), Ivan Illich critiques 1970s healthcare in industrialized societies, arguing that it diminishes resilience to illness by focusing on eliminating sickness, pain, and suffering, which he asserts are natural and essential for personal growth. He introduces "iatrogenesis" to describe the harm caused by medical intervention, identifying three types: clinical, social, and cultural. Illich claims modern medicine often misleads people about its necessity and effectiveness, sometimes exacerbates societal dependence, and fosters an unrealistic fear of mortality.
Informative
Challenging
Contemplative
Dark
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Ivan Illich's Medical Nemesis has sparked intense debate. Positively, it is hailed for its critical analysis of the healthcare system and its provocative thesis that medical intervention often harms more than it heals. However, some critics find his arguments hyperbolic and lacking in empirical evidence. The book remains influential in questioning the role of medicine in society.
Readers who would enjoy Medical Nemesis by Ivan Illich are those intrigued by critiques of modern healthcare systems and institutional power. Similar to fans of Michel Foucault's Discipline and Punish and Naomi Klein's No Logo, they appreciate deep dives into societal systems and their impact on human freedom and autonomy.
673 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
294
Book • Nonfiction
1970s
1975
Adult
18+ years
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