What is medicine?: towards a philosophical approach

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Medicine
• Medical Ethics
• Health Systems Analysis

Background:

• Current Western medicine faces significant challenges, necessitating a re-evaluation of its foundational principles.
• Nineteenth-century medical concepts, while driving technical advances, have hindered critical questioning of underlying assumptions.
• Alliances with statistics and social sciences have not prompted a deeper inquiry into medicine's core identity.

Observation:

• Despite internal and external critical initiatives, a cohesive effort to define 'what is medicine?' is lacking.
• The fundamental assumptions of Western medicine have remained largely unquestioned for a century.
• There is a need to address the conceptual understanding of disease, which has been historically overlooked.

Findings:

• The failure to address current medical problems stems from an inability to question foundational assumptions.
• A lack of philosophical inquiry into the concept of disease has limited medical progress.
• A fundamental reappraisal requires a return to philosophical questioning of medical concepts.

Implications:

• Re-engaging with the philosophy of medicine can provide a framework for addressing contemporary healthcare issues.
• A deeper understanding of the concept of disease is essential for the future of medical practice and research.
• This philosophical approach may lead to a more robust and adaptable model of Western medicine.