Plot Summary

Medical Nemesis

Ivan Illich
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Medical Nemesis

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1975

Book Brief

Ivan Illich

Medical Nemesis

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1975
Book Details
Pages

294

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

1970s

Publication Year

1975

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

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

Reviews & Readership

4.3

673 ratings

78%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Medical Nemesis?

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.

4.3

673 ratings

78%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

Medical Nemesis was published in 1975 and critically examines the role of the medical establishment in society, offering a groundbreaking perspective on the relationship between medicine and health.

Ivan Illich contends that the medical industry can sometimes create more harm than good, coining the term "iatrogenesis" to describe health complications caused by medical treatment.

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The book sparked widespread debate and led to increased discourse about the power dynamics within healthcare systems, making Illich a prominent figure in the critique of institutionalized medicine.

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Book Details
Pages

294

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

1970s

Publication Year

1975

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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