Madness is a social construct, not a timeless illness

Michel Foucault argued that madness isn't a fixed biological condition, but rather a concept shaped by society and power. In his 1961 book, he showed how perceptions of mental illness drastically changed from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Initially, madness was sometimes seen as divine wisdom, but by the 17th century, those deemed 'mad' were often confined to institutions.