
#83. Dark Chapters in Psychiatry - Jack El-Hai
From Smooth Brain Society by Smooth Brain Society
March 5, 2026 · 1h 13m · Season 2 · Episode 83
About this episode
Jack El-Hai discusses the psychological examination of Nazi war criminals and the implications of psychiatry on understanding evil.
Jack El-Hai, acclaimed journalist and author of The Nazi and the Psychiatrist and The Lobotomist, takes us inside Dr. Douglas Kelly's psychological examination of Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials. From the lobotomy era to the chilling conclusions about "ordinary" evil, this conversation explores what psychiatry revealed about history's most notorious figures—and what it means for us today. Key Topics Covered: 🧠 The Lobotomist: How a 1968 lobotomy case in Minnesota led Jack down a 20...
People in this episode
Guest: Jack El-Hai
Topics covered
- psychiatry
- Nazi war criminals
- lobotomy
- psychological examination
- ordinary evil
- history
- mental health
Keywords
- psychiatry
- Nazi
- lobotomy
- Nuremberg trials
- psychological examination
- ordinary evil
- Jack El-Hai
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, The Lobotomist
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