The End of the End of History

In this work, Foucault critiques the historical method and examines how the concept of madness has been understood and treated across different periods. He focuses on the scientific, medical, philosophical, and cultural analyses of madness, highlighting the transition from medieval and humanist experiences to the modern confinement of madness in mental illness. The book also explores the work of early psychiatrists like Philippe Pinel and Samuel Tuke, and it draws on examples from artists and thinkers such as Goya, Nietzsche, Van Gogh, and Artaud to illustrate the creative and liberating forces of madness.

David McCullough’s work is celebrated for his books on American history and biography. He received the Pulitzer Prize for his books on Presidents Harry Truman and John Adams.

In this book, Francis Fukuyama posits that human history is moving towards a state of idealized harmony through the mechanisms of liberal democracy. He argues that liberal democracy is the final form of human government, driven by two powerful forces: the logic of modern science and the struggle for recognition. Fukuyama draws on the philosophical ideas of Hegel and Kojeve, suggesting that liberal democracy meets the economic and psychological needs of humanity, including the desire for recognition and dignity. The book explores the implications of this thesis, including the potential paradox that the satisfaction of basic needs might lead to a lack of outlets for human striving and recognition.