The Divided Self An Existential Study in Sanity and Madness

R. D. Laing, one of the best-known psychiatrists of modern
times, was born in Glasgow in 1927 and graduated from
Glasgow University as a doctor of medicine. In the 1960s he
developed the argument that there may be a benefit in
allowing acute mental and emotional turmoil in depth to go
on and have its way, and that the outcome of such turmoil
could have a positive value. He was the first to put such a
stand to the test by establishing, with others, residences
where persons could live and be free to let happen what will
when the acute psychosis is given free rein, or where, at the
very least, they receive no treatment they do not want. This
work with the Philadelphia Association since 1964, together
with his focus on disturbed and disturbing types of
interaction in institutions, groups and families, has been
both influential and continually controversial.
R. D. Laing’s writings range from books on social