What is it about?
The medical concepts of disease and pathologicity are fundamental notions of medical theory. How are they related to values and norms? The article shows that pathologicity, as explained in medical theory and general pathology, refers to a set of criteria that are derived from the psychosomatic nature of human beings. These criteria must be distinguished from individual, personal or socio- cultural norms and values. The norms and values of individuals und societies play their intrinsic role not in the definitions of the concepts of disease and pathologicity, but in deciding how to treat diseases (medical indication, patient informed consent). By respecting this distinction, the philosophical controversy between the 'naturalists' and 'normativists' in philosophy of medicine may be reconciled.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
For the past 40 years, philosophers have disagreed whether the concept of disease is defined by recourse to natural, objective facts or to - individual or socio-cultural - values and norms. This analysis demonstrates that the disease concept of contemporary medical science and theory definitely refers to natural (psycho-somatic) facts and not to historically changing and socio-culturally alterable norms or values.
Perspectives
In order for us to understand contemporary medicine, its potential as well as its problems, it is indispensable to have an adequate understanding of its central concepts, particularly the concept of disease. This is esential to all future work in medical philosophy, medical epistemology, and medical ethics.
Prof. Dr. med, Dr. phil. Peter Hucklenbroich
Universität Münster Institut für Ethik, Geschichte und Theorie der Medizin
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Die Normativität des Krankheitsbegriffs: Zur Genese und Geltung von Kriterien der Krankhaftigkeit, Analyse & Kritik, January 2016, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1515/auk-2016-0122.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
