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On defining 'disease'.

W M Brown

    The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy
    |November 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Philosophers struggle to define disease. While objective and normative approaches exist, neither fully captures the concept, with normative definitions aligning better with common usage.

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    Area of Science:

    • Philosophy of Medicine
    • Conceptual Analysis
    • Medical Ethics

    Background:

    • Defining 'disease' is a persistent challenge in philosophy and medicine.
    • Existing definitions often fail to encompass the complexity and nuances of the concept.
    • Distinguishing between disease and non-disease states is crucial for medical practice and ethical considerations.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To critically evaluate recent philosophical attempts to define 'disease'.
    • To analyze the strengths and weaknesses of objective and normative approaches to disease definition.
    • To explore the inherent limitations in defining 'disease' due to language and the nature of medicine.

    Main Methods:

    • Detailed examination of Christopher Boorse's objective theory of disease.

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  • In-depth analysis of Caroline Whitbeck's normative theory of disease.
  • Comparative evaluation of the two theoretical frameworks based on their explanatory power and alignment with usage.

    • Main Results:

    • Both Boorse's objective and Whitbeck's normative definitions were found to be inadequate.
    • Whitbeck's normative approach demonstrates superiority due to its preliminary distinctions and alignment with medical and lay usage.
    • The practical, evolving nature of medicine and its language inherently limits philosophical efforts at a definitive disease concept.

    Conclusions:

    • A universally accepted philosophical definition of 'disease' remains elusive.
    • Normative definitions, like Whitbeck's, offer a more practical framework by considering medical and common understanding.
    • The dynamic character of medical practice and language necessitates a flexible, rather than rigid, approach to defining disease.