Utopia without plans. On Deligny, autistic children, and living spots

Abstract

For Fernand Deligny, it's important to reject a series of labels that could be prima facie applied to him: psychiatrist, educator, political activist. In fact, he regards himself and his 'attempts' as neither a question of treating patients, nor as one of educating youngsters – nor even one of criticising the status quo of psychiatric institutions in view of organising a different type of setting. However, once we discard these qualifications, these recognised disciplines and spheres of activity, it only becomes harder to define what Deligny managed to accomplish.

Keywords

• utopia and measure
• lo squaderno no. 50