'Rethinking "Disease": a fresh diagnosis and a new philosophical treatment'

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Medicine
• Conceptual Analysis

Background:

• The definition of 'disease' is a long-standing philosophical debate, often framed as naturalism vs. normativism.
• Existing disease concepts face significant theoretical and practical challenges, leading some to suggest elimination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reframe the debate on the concept of disease by addressing skeptical challenges.
• To propose an amended hybrid view of disease that strengthens objectivist approaches and meets institutional-ethical requirements.
• To advocate for disease concept pluralism across medical and biological disciplines.

Main Methods:

• Meta-methodological critique of existing disease concepts.
• Analysis of the pragmatic and institutional expectations of a disease concept in healthcare.
• Development of an amended hybrid view and the proposal of pluralism.

Main Results:

• Prevailing accounts of disease, while not suffering from all identified defects, have other significant deficits.
• An amended hybrid view is proposed, enhancing the theoretical foundation of objectivist disease concepts.
• Disease concept pluralism is recommended to accommodate the distinct goals of medical and biological sciences.

Conclusions:

• The concept of disease requires refinement beyond current naturalism/normativism debates.
• An amended hybrid view offers a stronger, institutionally-aware framework for understanding disease.
• Adopting disease concept pluralism will improve the utility and applicability of the concept in diverse scientific and medical contexts.