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Weak and strong holism

Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden, Correspondence address: I-B Täljedal Dept. of Histology and Cell Biology Umeå University SE-90187 UMEå Sweden

Dissatisfaction with the health care system, in combination with an increasing academic status of paramedical professions, is currently inspiring the analysis of central medical terms by philosophers. One interesting result is the formulation of equilibrium theories that define health without reference to disease. It is argued here that the alleged holism of such theories is in fact weaker than the strong holism represented by the irreductive materialism inherent in traditional medicine. Strong holism resolves certain anomalies in the weakly holistic description of the Human Being, notably the claim that perfect health is compatible with having a deadly disease.

Key Words: disease • health care • health occupations • holistic health • medical philosophy.

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 25, No. 2, 67-69 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/140349489702500202


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