Legal categories around mental capacity shaped centuries of control.
English law historically used categories such as idiot and lunatic to decide who could manage affairs and property.
Modern law uses very different language, but capacity remains central to rights, decision making and protection.
Capacity should be about support and decision making, not about erasing personhood.
A common mistake is treating capacity as a fixed trait. Modern capacity is decision specific and support should come first.
Who had power here, who was left outside, and what would have changed if the human being was seen first?
These deep dives open out from this part of the timeline.