Abstract
This paper examines the existential context of physical and mental health. Hans Georg Gadamer and The World Health Organization’s conceptualizations are discussed, and current medicalized and idealized views on health are critically examined. The existential dimension of health is explored in the light of theories of selfhood consisting of different parts, Irvin Yalom’s approach to “ultimate concerns” and Martin Heidegger’s conceptualization of “existentials.” We often become aware of health as an existential concern during times of illness, and health and illness can co-exist. The paper discusses how existential suffering in Western culture is described, to an increasing degree, as disorders or psychological deficits, and perfectionistic health goals easily can become a problem. We seek to avoid suffering rather than relate to it, with all the tension that may create. The paper argues that suffering is an unavoidable aspect of people’s experience of their lives, and actively relating to suffering must be regarded as a fundamental aspect of health. The need and usefulness of a concept of “existential health” is discussed.
Highlights
Health is usually what we expect, and it is certainly not a problem
The existential dimension of health is explored in the light of theories of selfhood consisting of different parts, Irvin Yalom’s approach to “ultimate concerns” and Martin Heidegger’s conceptualization of “existentials.” We often become aware of health as an existential concern during times of illness, and health and illness can co-exist
Feeling felt creates a fundamental sense of safety. This emotional bond is a primary mode of being-with, and of utmost importance for being able to handle suffering in life, when we need to create meaning, make choices, when we struggle to be grounded in our bodies, and when we face death
Summary
Health is usually what we expect, and it is certainly not a problem. health is not necessarily something we reflect about when it is present, and it is often a silent and unnoticed phenomenon (Gadamer, 2018). We become aware of the existential dimension of health during times of illness. Illness and a healthy, heightened, and existential awareness can co-exist. The definitions of health made by Hans-Georg Gadamer (2018) and the World Health Organization will be used as a starting point. They will be discussed in light of perspectives on suffering (Schneider, 1999; Miller, 2005), and selfhood consisting of different parts (Bromberg, 1996). I will propose that being aware of suffering and actively relating to it is part of living a healthy life, and I will discuss whether a concept of existential health is needed
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