Philosophy and medicine are sciences that are closely interconnected by the subject of study, by man. The purpose of philosophical research is the spiritual principle, thoughts that precede actions. Medicine is a more exact science, which is designed to practically heal human ailments. Nevertheless, practitioners are always interested in the opinion of philosophers about the influence of the spiritual principle on health. Philosophers, in turn, studying the soul, seek to identify the primary sources of disease.
Medical philosophy as a science
The close relationship between philosophy and medicine has 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 generalizes into the system the concepts of the role of human activity, of the place of medicine in public life, both of an individual person and of entire nations.
One of the main issues in the study of this science is the moral and ethical relations of the doctor and the patient, the appropriateness of certain actions in the light of historical and religious worldviews of different cultures.
Philosophy and medicine - what's in common
The methods of influencing the personality of these two sciences are very different. The mental flow of the philosophical mind and the precise, quick decisions of the doctor are incomparable. A vivid example of this is the practice of a surgeon. Sometimes he has to spend seconds thinking about his actions; delay can cost a human life - the highest standard of the Universe. Accurate, definite and quick practice is medicine. Science philosophy uses mental methods, the realization of certain things comes to a person for years. These humanitarian sciences are united not only by a focus on a person, as an object of study.
Both philosophy and medicine pose similar tasks, focus on the same goals, use common methodologies. Ultimately, both of these sciences, by combined efforts, are called upon to solve 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 in this regard are different. Medicine is designed to strengthen bodily health, philosophy - heals the soul and strengthens moral positions.
Theory or practice
Philosophy and medicine, which 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 age of rapid development of progress and the latest technologies? Why philosophy for robots, which can already replace humans in many areas, and artificial organs work in the human body like relatives?
And yet, increasingly, medical scientists turn to ancient sources, when mental treatment was inextricably linked with practical treatment. The influence of a change in self-awareness on a physical state, a change in the course of a disease under the influence of altered views and life principles are becoming topics in research medical works.
The impact on the health of ecology, nutrition, physical activity is no more complex than the psychological state of a person. In other words: the philosophy of life of an individual is reflected in its medical indicators. Any doctor should be initially a psychologist. It is impossible to completely cure the body without having a positive effect on the soul.
The philosophy of traditional medicine
Everyone comes to this world without any luggage, literally naked and barefoot. But, at the same time, everyone has his own special wealth, his own world, his own talent, his individual abilities, which are not similar to anything else, that Cosmos awarded him with. Under the influence of external circumstances: the foundations of society, religion, family traditions, an individual human philosophy is formed. Folk medicine considers each person as a separate, unique instance, and not just a standard set of organs and parts of the skeleton. For this reason, the treatment of healers (we are talking about real healers, not charlatans) will be different for the same symptoms. Often, a folk doctor tries to change the patient’s consciousness. The philosophy of ancient medicine, the union of the spiritual and the carnal, were reflected in the studies of Hippocrates, Avicenna, Aristotle, Bebel.
Oriental medicine
A complete knowledge of the world, man and its harmony does not own any modern culture, but nevertheless, Eastern philosophy and medicine are most closely related. At that time, then Europe followed the path of pure science in the medical field, the eastern healers combined medical, mystical and philosophical in their medicinal and pharmaceutical fields. 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, targeted massages, fancy combinations of herbs and minerals in infusions, are based on the fact that the spirit and body are one. An individual organ disease is not considered without spiritual causes that have caused malaise.
Medical ethics
The role of philosophy in medicine for European physicians is most often determined at the theoretical level. Lectures on philosophy are perceived as an important, but not paramount addition to basic knowledge. Nevertheless, one aspect of medical practice is most closely related to the philosophy of medicine - this is a matter of medical ethics. The degree of trust in your doctor determines the timing of recovery. Even the most inveterate skeptics cannot argue with this. The right of a doctor to decide when to stop treatment, the ethical side of euthanasia, medical secrecy - both physicians and philosophers discuss these issues. The main goal of their work is reduced to one ancient commandment: “Do no harm!”