--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The concept of disease is fast replacing…" description: "\"“The concept of disease is fast replacing the concept of responsibility. With increasing zeal Americans use and interpret the assertion \"I am sick\" as ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8e/thomas-stephen-szasz-62548_health_the-concept-of-disease-is-fast-replacing_2739115.jpg" --- # The concept of disease is fast replacing the concept of… ![“The concept of disease is fast replacing the concept of responsibility. With increasing zeal Americans use and interpret the assertion "I am sick" as equivalent to the assertion "I am not responsible": Smokers say they are not responsible for smoking, drinkers that they are not responsible for…” quote by Thomas Stephen Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8e/thomas-stephen-szasz-62548_health_the-concept-of-disease-is-fast-replacing_2739115.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8e/thomas-stephen-szasz-62548_health_the-concept-of-disease-is-fast-replacing_2739115.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8e/thomas-stephen-szasz-62548_health_the-concept-of-disease-is-fast-replacing_2739115.jpg) > ““The concept of disease is fast replacing the concept of responsibility. With increasing zeal Americans use and interpret the assertion "I am sick" as equivalent to the assertion "I am not responsible": Smokers say they are not responsible for smoking, drinkers that they are not responsible for drinking, gamblers that they are not responsible for gambling, and mothers who murder their infants that they are not responsible for killing. To prove their point — and to capitalize on their self-destructive and destructive behavior — smokers, drinkers, gamblers, and insanity acquitees are suing tobacco companies, liquor companies, gambling casinos, and physicians.”” [Thomas Stephen Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-stephen-szasz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critiques shifting blame from personal responsibility to disease labeling, especially in harmful behaviors. **In simple terms:** People often use illness to avoid responsibility. Key Takeaway Own your actions. Themes responsibility health societal attitudes Mood critical thought‑provoking Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - addiction recovery - legal accountability - public health policy - personal ethics Key Concepts blame shifting medicalization Questions to Reflect On - When does illness genuinely excuse behavior? - How can responsibility be reclaimed? A Different Perspective Complex issues may oversimplify nuanced causes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) ## Related quotes > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. 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