R. D. Laing, The Divided Self, 1 Quotes

A collection of quotes by R. D. Laing, The Divided Self, 1.

R. D. Laing was a Scottish psychiatrist and writer born in 1927. He is best known for his book "The Divided Self," published in 1960, which explored the concepts of mental illness and existential philosophy. Laing challenged traditional psychiatric theories and practices, advocating for a more compassionate and humanistic approach to understanding and treating mental distress. His work had a significant impact on the anti-psychiatry movement and influenced generations of psychologists and thinkers. Laing's writings continue to be highly regarded for their critical insights into the nature of mental health and our understanding of the self.

The individual in the ordinary circumstances of living may f

The individual in the ordinary circumstances of living may feel more unreal than real; in a literal sense, more dead than alive; precariously differentiated from the rest of the world, so that his identity and autonomy are always in question.... He may not possess an over-riding sense of personal consistency or cohesiveness. He may feel more insubstantial than substantial, and unable to assume that the stuff he is made of is genuine, good, valuable. And he may feel his self as partially divorced from his body.

R. D. Laing, The Divided Self, 1

Individuality