Manfred Lütz performed his show “Neue Irre” at the Bergson Kunstkraftwerk, blending psychiatry, theology, and social commentary into an evening that was as humorous as it was thought-provoking. The performance at the Bergson Kunstkraftwerk impressively demonstrated how scientific perspectives and cabaret can be combined.

At the outset, psychiatrist and theologian Lütz put forward the provocative thesis that, while our society has access to ever-increasing amounts of expert knowledge, it does not necessarily have more life experience. Many key insights arise not from theory, but from personal crises, failures, and life-changing events. Those who have never failed often understand life only superficially.

Drawing on his bestseller *Irre – Wir behandeln die Falschen* (*Crazy: We’re Treating the Wrong People*), Lütz questioned whether social problems really lie primarily within the field of psychiatry. While people with depression or severe mental illnesses are treated during the day, entirely different forms of problematic behavior often emerge in politics and business.

The theologian Lütz humorously emphasized that not every destructive personality automatically requires a psychiatric diagnosis. Rather, he argued, one must distinguish between illness and character-based or moral responsibility.

A central theme of the evening at the Bergson Kunstkraftwerk was the clear distinction between mental illness and guilt. Using historical and political figures as examples, Lütz made it clear that hasty remote diagnoses are problematic. Perpetrators should not be exonerated through medical terminology when it comes to moral responsibility.

Current political figures were also discussed—though without any diagnoses. Instead, Lütz pointed out that political power and character traits often play a greater role than medical explanations.

At the same time, the psychiatrist made it clear that mental illness is a part of human life. About one-third of all people experience a mental disorder requiring treatment at some point in their lives. He provided a particularly vivid description of symptoms associated with schizophrenia to promote understanding of those affected.

Despite the serious subject matter, the evening at the Bergson Kunstkraftwerk was marked by humor. Whimsical comparisons and pointed remarks—such as the one about the “tapeworm as a possible pinnacle of evolution”—drew plenty of laughter from the audience. It was always important, however, that the humor was not directed at patients, but rather at societal misconceptions.

Manfred Lütz is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, theologian, columnist, cabaret artist, and author of eleven *Spiegel* bestsellers. His best-known work, *Irre – Wir behandeln die Falschen*(*Crazy: We’re Treating the Wrong People*), has sold nearly a million copies.

From 1997 to 2019, he headed the Alexianer Hospital in Cologne, which specializes in mental illness. The theologian and psychiatrist is currently touring Germany with his latest show, “Neue Irre.”