---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I submit that the traditional definition…"
description: "\"I submit that the traditional definition of psychiatry, which is still vogue, places it alongside such things as alchemy and astrology, and commits it ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/thomas-szasz-3801_alchemy_i-submit-that-the-traditional-definition_422773.jpg"
---

#  I submit that the traditional definition of psychiatry…

![“I submit that the traditional definition of psychiatry, which is still vogue, places it alongside such things as alchemy and astrology, and commits it to the category of pseudo-science.” quote by Thomas Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/thomas-szasz-3801_alchemy_i-submit-that-the-traditional-definition_422773.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/thomas-szasz-3801_alchemy_i-submit-that-the-traditional-definition_422773.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/thomas-szasz-3801_alchemy_i-submit-that-the-traditional-definition_422773.jpg)

> “I submit that the traditional definition of psychiatry, which is still vogue, places it alongside such things as alchemy and astrology, and commits it to the category of pseudo-science.”

[Thomas Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-szasz/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Psychiatry is often treated like a science but may rely on unscientific concepts similar to alchemy.

**In simple terms:** Psychiatry can be pseudo‑scientific.

Key Takeaway

Scrutinize claims critically.

Themes

medicine science skepticism

Mood

critical analytical

Type

philosophical skeptical

When to use this quote

- clinical practice
- health policy
- patient advocacy

Key Concepts

philosophy of science medical ethics diagnostic criteria

Questions to Reflect On

- What evidence supports psychiatric treatments?
- How can we differentiate science from pseudoscience in medicine?

A Different Perspective

Dismissal may overlook genuine benefits of psychiatry.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Alchemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alchemy/) [Astrology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astrology/) [Psychiatry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychiatry/) [Vogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vogue/)

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