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On disability and illness. A reply to Edwards
1Department of Health and Society, University of Linköping, Sweden.
Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics
|August 18, 1999
Summary
This paper refutes criticisms of a health and disability theory, arguing a proposed distinction between types of disability is insufficient. It clarifies the theory
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Philosophy of Medicine
- Disability Studies
Background:
- This paper addresses criticisms by Steven Edwards regarding the author's theory of health and disability.
- Edwards identified a tension between subjectivistic and objectivistic elements in the health definition and an inability to distinguish between illness-related and other disabilities.
Discussion:
- The author argues Edwards's first criticism stems from a misunderstanding of the theory's intentions.
- The second criticism regarding the distinction of disability types is considered more pertinent, raising key issues in health theory and the interpretation of illness.
Key Insights:
- The author contends that Edwards's proposed notion of 'capacity' does not adequately differentiate between disability arising from illness/injury and disability with a different background.
- The paper asserts that the proposed distinction fails to fulfill its intended purpose in the theory of disability.
Outlook:
- Further refinement of the theory of disability is needed to address the nuances of illness and non-illness-related impairments.
- Continued dialogue in bioethics is crucial for developing comprehensive models of health and disability.