Yet, how does anyone justify doing things TO people, against their will? Cartesian philosophy helps explain the reasoning for these kinds of treatments. Rene Descartes was a French Philosopher who lived from 1596-1650, a fuller explanation of his work can be found at this link:
The quick version is that Descartes believed that the ability to reason separated us (humans) from animals, so if people were unable to reason, then they were to be treated like animals.
The justification was that the people with reason (aka the people in power -- The Superintendents Association) felt that they were doing what was best for everyone - controlling people with mental illness (and others who did not have any disability, but were just interned in asylums).
Do you see this happening today? Do things happen to people "for their own good," yet may not feel like it is what is best for them? Answer these questions, and give specific examples and then respond to at least 3 of your classmates' replies.
