Szasz, Thomas (1920-)

Thomas Stephen Szasz was born in Budapest, Hungary, and is currently a Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at the State University of New York Health Sciences Center in Syracuse. Although many of his colleagues regard Dr. Szasz as a bird that fouls its own nest, he is highly esteemed among many humanists, libertarians, and critics of psychiatry, including an increasingly growing number of attorneys. Libertarians are often especially attracted to him because of what they would describe as his unremitting defense of personal freedom and responsibility, two values he regards as indivisible. He has received numerous national awards, including Humanist of the Year in 1973. His “passion against coercion” has led him to oppose involuntary mental hospitalization (as well as all other involuntary treatment), and his ...