Wenpei Tang

 Gansu University Of Chinese Medicine

Abstract：

In the 1970s, Irving Kenneth Zola, a pioneer of contemporary medical criticism, proposed the concept of "the medicalization of society". This concept systematically revealed how modern medicine has transcended its traditional diagnostic and therapeutic functions, and has increasingly evolved into a social control mechanism that regulates deviant behavior and maintains social order. Zola's research has played a crucial role in the development of the theory of medicalization, bridging the gap between earlier and later scholarly contributions in this field. He inherited Thomas Szasz's critical tradition of psychiatry, while expanding his research perspective to encompass the entire medical system—with a particular focus on the potential negative social and political impacts of medicalization. He cautioned against over-reliance on medicine, warning that such over-dependence might obscure deeper structural social issues, and highlighted the risk that modern medicine could potentially infringe upon individual autonomy. 

Key Words：

Irving Kenneth Zola; the medicalization of society; medical criticism; health