Aristotle, Hume and the goals of medicine

Abstract

Whilst medicine is now an immense global industry clinicians often appear unclear as to its goals. This paper uses two philosophical steps to clarify our conceptualization of health and thus our goals for healthcare. Firstly, clinicians need to understand the significance of Hume's fact / value distinction in medicine, for medicine relies on both facts and values. Secondly clinicians need a better specified definition of 'health' to use as a goal for healthcare. Aristotle's model of human flourishing is used as the starting point for a new conceptualization of health.

Self-awareness and professionalism

“…What are your beliefs about health? A surprising lack of thought is given to the idea that the question: ‘What is good health?’ depends upon the answer to the question: ‘What is health?’ (Misselbrook, 2016; Owens, 2012). A basic exploration of what we mean by health can be useful.…”

Testing conscientious objection by the norm of medicine

“…The pursuit of complete wellbeing is a boundless task, one more complex than those trained in the art of medicine should presume to pursue. 26 It is medical hubris to reduce all human problems to medical problems. 27 Doctors should recognise their limited capacity to bring about human happiness.…”

RELIEF: A practical primary care approach to chronic pain

“…It can be useful to talk about acceptance; which does not mean resignation, but adaptation to a situation in order to move forward. Adaptation to change in life has in fact been described as a definition of 'health' itself (Misselbrook, 2016).…”