Health

Exactly how health should be defined is the subject of many debates. There is no single universally accepted definition. The World Health Organization, for example, defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity," while others define it as "a state of physical and mental well being." The former definition has been criticized as being too broad and, thus, making all, or nearly all, problems health problems. Regarding the latter definition, it has been suggested that, in view of the complexity surrounding the concept of mental health, the definition should be reduced to physical well-being, understood as the proper functioning of the body, or a state of the organism whereby the organism is disposed to function well. Thus, the main difference between these two definitions is that the first provides a more holistic conception of health while the latter is primarily biomedical in nature. Yet another possible definition is that of "species-typical functioning." However one defines health, the definition will greatly influence how one conceives of the concept of disease as well. For example, when health is considered species-typical functioning, the concept of disease is conceived of as deviations from the natural functioning organization of a typical member of a species. This deviation would not be merely statistical, but would necessarily draw on a theoretical account of the nature, or design, of the organism. [Sources: World Health Organization. Basic documents. 39th ed. (Geneva: WHO, 1992); Daniels, N, Just Healthcare (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1985; Ashley, B. and K. O’Rourke, Healthcare Ethics: A Theological Analysis (Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 1997), 22-31; Boorse, C., "On the Distinction between Disease and Illness," in Concepts of Health and Disease: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1981).]

Return to Issues & Concepts

Return to For the Public - Table of Contents

Return to For Affiliates - Table of Contents