A news story reports that the American Psychiatric Association is considering whether "compulsive buying" should be classified as a "mental disorder."
Since characterizing certain human behavior as a "mental disorder" tends to be offered as a prelude to some form of state intervention to "correct" the "disorder," I wonder if the APA might also give thought to regarding the mindset of those who insist upon government regulation of the lives of others as a "mental disorder." At a time when "diversity" is offered as a social value, it is amazing that so little respect is paid to supporting the "diversity" inherent in the varied interests, preferences, and pursuits of individuals. This compulsion to compel is far more personally and socially destructive than consumers' shopping mall habits. Perhaps officials of the APA should heed the warnings of Thomas Szasz or, if he is too much of a pariah to their collective mindset, the observation of Anatole France: "Those who have given themselves the most concern about the happiness of peoples have made their neighbours very miserable."
