Diseases of the Will

A history of the pleasures and dangers of alcoholic beverages, exploring ideas of free will versus determinism.

Zusammenfassung
This is a sociological investigation of the history and uses of alcoholic beverages. It explores the notion of free will versus determinism and includes original research from the US, UK, Canada and Australia. It will appeal to readers in legal studies, criminology, sociology, psychology, social theory and the history of medicine.

Inhalt

Introduction; 1. Disease or habit? Alcoholism and the exercise of freedom; 2. Repairing diseased wills: Victorian science and pastoral medicine before 'alcoholism'; 3. The fragmentation of inebriety; 4. 'Enlightened hedonism': the emergence of alcohol science in the US; 5. The power of powerlessness: Alcoholics Anonymous techniques for governing the self; 6. The liquor of government and the government of liquor; 7. Reducing risks, replacing fluids; 8. Judicial diagnostics: 'Intoxicated Automatism' and the resurrection of the will.