Abstract:
This paper aims to offer a critical reading of Thomas S. Szasz’s The ethics of
psychoanalysis: The theory and method of autonomous psychotherapy (1965 /
1988a). In particular, the critical reading is focused on revealing and investigating the
presence of attitudinal biases and beliefs pertaining to the social class of
psychotherapy. It will be argued that in Szasz forwarding his thesis, a number of
statements regarding social class are raised. In particular, and for the purposes of this
paper, the key focus will be an investigation of Szasz’s proclamation that the poor and
uneducated do not need psychoanalysis but require freedom, knowledge and skills.
The paper will argue that this statement may not necessarily be presenting an
attitudinal bias or belief against the poor and uneducated. Rather, Szasz is professing
the nature and limitations of psychotherapy. Nonetheless, Szasz’s text still reflects
attitudinal biases through the disapproval of the efforts made by Sigmund Freud to
make psychotherapy available to all people.
