Health and Reference Classes

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Medicine
• Philosophy of Science

Background:

• Boorse's bio-statistical theory of health defines health based on statistical normality within reference classes.
• Kingma has raised objections, arguing this theory is circular and problematically value-laden due to reference class selection.
• These objections extend to other naturalistic theories of health, such as the dispositional theory.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address Kingma's objections to Boorse's bio-statistical theory of health.
• To demonstrate that naturalistic theories of health are not inherently circular or value-laden.
• To provide rejoinders that defend the validity of naturalistic health theories.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Kingma's objections regarding circularity and value-ladenness in health theories.
• Development of three counterarguments (rejoinders) to Kingma's criticisms.
• Examination of methodological demands and the role of values in differentiating health and pathology.

Main Results:

• The circularity objection stems from overly stringent methodological expectations.
• Naturalistic approaches can distinguish health from pathology without relying on personal or cultural values.
• Theoretical choices in health can be justified independently of evaluative commitments.

Conclusions:

• Kingma's objections do not undermine the bio-statistical theory of health.
• Naturalistic theories of health that employ reference classes remain defensible.
• The bio-statistical theory and similar naturalistic models of health are robust against the presented critiques.