Philosophy and medicine: the relationship

Philosophy and medicine are sciences, closely related to each other by the subject of study, by man. The goal of philosophical research is the spiritual beginning, the thoughts preceding actions. Medicine is a more accurate science that is designed to virtually heal human ailments. Nevertheless, practicing doctors are always interested in the opinion of philosophers about the influence of the spiritual on health. Philosophers, in turn, studying the soul, seek to identify the primary sources of disease.

Medical philosophy as a science

The close interconnection of philosophy and medicine found itself in a separate section of the scientific works of medical philosophy. This is a separate science that studies the laws of ontology, ethics and epistemology in the field of medicine, the cognitive side of medicine, its role in the development of society and the social sphere. The philosophy of medicine summarizes the concept of the role of human activity in the system, the place of medicine in public life, as an individual, and whole nations.

One of the main issues in the study of this science are the moral and ethical relations of the doctor and patient, the expediency of certain actions in the light of historical and religious worldviews of different cultures.

Philosophy and medicine - what is common

The methods of influence on personality in these two sciences are extremely different. Inconsistently the mental flow of the philosophical mind and the exact, quick decisions of the doctor. A vivid example of this is the practice of a surgeon. To think over his actions, he sometimes has to spend seconds, procrastination can cost a human life - the highest measure of the universe. Accurate, definite and fast practice is medicine. Science philosophy uses thinking methods, the realization of certain things comes to the person for years. Unites these humanities not only focus on man, as an object of study.

Both philosophy and medicine set similar tasks, are guided by the same goals, use common methodologies. Ultimately, both these sciences united efforts are called upon to solve one and the same problem - to ensure the survival of the human race on Earth and to strengthen its adaptability to external factors. The actions of physicians and philosophers are different in this respect. Medicine is designed to strengthen bodily health, philosophy - heals the soul and strengthens moral positions.

Theory or Practice

Philosophy and medicine, what is more important for life? Which of these factors is paramount in resolving the issue of strengthening human positions in the world, especially in our century of rapid development of progress and new technologies? Why should the philosophy of robots, which already now can replace a person in many spheres, and artificial organs work in the human body, like relatives?

And yet more and more often medical scientists turn to the ancient sources, when the mental treatment was inextricably linked with the treatment of the practical. The effect of changing self-consciousness on the physical state, changing the course of the disease under the influence of changed views and life principles become topics in research medical works.

Influence on the health of ecology, nutrition, physical activity is not much more complex than the psychological state of a person. In other words: the philosophy of life of an individual person is reflected in its medical indicators. Any doctor should be originally a psychologist. You can not completely cure the body without having a positive impact on the soul.

Philosophy of Traditional Medicine

Each person comes to this world, having no baggage, literally naked and barefoot. But, at the same time, everyone has his own special wealth, his world, his talent, his own individual, not similar to anything, abilities, which he was awarded by the Cosmos. Under the influence of external circumstances: the foundations of society, religion, family traditions formed individual philosophy of man. People's medicine treats each person as a separate, unique specimen, and not just a standard set of organs and parts of the skeleton. For this reason, treatment of healers (we are talking about real healers, not charlatans) will be different for the same symptoms. Often the national doctor tries to change the consciousness of the patient. The philosophy of ancient medicine, the union of the spiritual and the carnal, were reflected in the research of Hippocrates, Avicenna, Aristotle, Bebel.

Eastern medicine

A complete knowledge of the world, man and its harmony is not possessed by any modern culture, but still, the eastern philosophy and medicine are most closely connected. At that time, then Europe took the path of pure science in the medical field, the eastern physicians combined medical, mystical and philosophical in their medicinal and pharmaceutical directions. The result was that the doctors of this region, in addition to serious modern knowledge, rely on natural intuition and ancient traditions.

The usual methods of oriental healers: acupuncture, directed massages, bizarre combinations of herbs and minerals in infusions, are based on the fact that spirit and body are one single. The disease of an individual organ is not treated without spiritual causes that caused malaise.

Medical Ethics

The role of philosophy in medicine for European doctors is often determined at the theoretical level. Lectures on philosophy are perceived as an important, but not a primary addition to basic knowledge. However, one aspect of medical practice is most closely connected with the philosophy of medicine - this is a matter of medical ethics. The degree of trust in your doctor determines the timing of recovery. This is not disputed even by the most hardened skeptics. The doctor's right to decide when to stop treatment, the ethical side of euthanasia, medical secret - these issues are discussed by physicians and philosophers. The main goal of their work is reduced to one ancient commandment: "Do no harm!"