Klaus Michael Meyer-Abich: Was es bedeutet, gesund zu sein. Philosophie der Medizin

Dorothee Dörr

doi:10.1007/s10202-011-0096-8

Abstract

Klaus Michael Meyer-Abich: Was es bedeutet, gesund zu sein. Philosophie der Medizin

Highlights

There is no doubt that occidental conceptions of health and disease harbour Cartesian assumptions unfolding far-reaching social and political implications
In accordance with the opinion of medical historians, ethicists and epistemologists, the dualistic image of humanity (Menschenbild) exerted a determining impact on medical science and practice most notably since the dissemination of Descartes’ philosophy. Hallmark of this insight is the partition of body and mind that is grounded on the distinction between two fundamental substances: res extensa and res cogitans
The former stands for moved material of the outside-world, the latter for the immaterial inner-world, reducing the body-world to a pure extensional dimension as deduced from a conception aligned on physical principles

Summary

Introduction

There is no doubt that occidental conceptions of health and disease harbour Cartesian assumptions unfolding far-reaching social and political implications. In accordance with the opinion of medical historians, ethicists and epistemologists, the dualistic image of humanity (Menschenbild) exerted a determining impact on medical science and practice most notably since the dissemination of Descartes’ philosophy.

Results

Conclusion