Craze Quote by George Bernard Shaw
“As I write, there is a craze for what is called psychoanalysis, or the cure of diseases by explaining to the patient what is the matter with him: an excellent plan if you happen to know what is the matter with him, especially when the explanation is that there is nothing the matter with him.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Arms and the Man, 1894
Shaw satirizes psychoanalysis that claims to cure by explaining the problem, highlighting its limits when the problem is claimed to be none.
In simple terms: Psychoanalysis may fail when it says nothing is wrong.
Key Takeaway
Question the assumptions of therapy.
Themes
critique
psychoanalysis
self-awareness
Mood
skeptical
witty
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- self-help literature
- mental health policy
- clinical practice
Key Concepts
Satire
medical humanities
diagnosis
Questions to Reflect On
- Is labeling "nothing wrong" helpful?
- What alternatives exist for genuine distress?
A Different Perspective
Not all issues are psychological; some are social or physical.
