This chapter examines the diverse roles medicine assigns to health concepts and the multiple ways these are defined to fulfill those roles. It identifies four families of health concepts illustrating how constructs and measures correspond to each. Philosophers of medicine have often focused on objectivity and normativity, leaving the evaluation of these health concepts’ merits largely unexplored. The chapter then addresses the “Babel of health concepts” in medicine and the challenges this diversity poses. It transitions to philosophical discussions on monism and pluralism, distinguishing various pluralist positions. Ultimately, it argues that pluralism must be justified through a critical evaluation of each concept and measure, introducing a methodological approach termed “conceptual choice,” which will be elaborated in the next chapter.

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Health Concepts in Medicine

  • Elisabetta Lalumera

摘要

This chapter examines the diverse roles medicine assigns to health concepts and the multiple ways these are defined to fulfill those roles. It identifies four families of health concepts illustrating how constructs and measures correspond to each. Philosophers of medicine have often focused on objectivity and normativity, leaving the evaluation of these health concepts’ merits largely unexplored. The chapter then addresses the “Babel of health concepts” in medicine and the challenges this diversity poses. It transitions to philosophical discussions on monism and pluralism, distinguishing various pluralist positions. Ultimately, it argues that pluralism must be justified through a critical evaluation of each concept and measure, introducing a methodological approach termed “conceptual choice,” which will be elaborated in the next chapter.