What counts as health or ill health? How do we deal with the fallibility of our own bodies? Should illness and disease be considered simply in biological terms, or should considerations of its emotional impact dictate our treatment of it? Our understanding of health and illness had become increasingly more complex in the modern world, as we are able to use medicine not only to fight disease but to control other aspects of our bodies, whether mood, blood pressure, or cholesterol. This collection of essays foregrounds the concepts of health and illness and patient experience within the philosophy of medicine, reflecting on the relationship between the ill person and society. Mental illness is considered alongside physical disease, and the important ramifications of society's differentiation between the two are brought to light. Health, Illness and Disease is a significant contribution to shaping the parameters of the evolving field of philosophy of medicine and will be of interest to medical practitioners and policy-makers as well as philosophers of science and ethicists.

"A timely and comprehensive overview of a field that, thought ancient in its roots, is currently gripped by an unmistakeably youthful sense of excitement and expansion. . . The editors and authors have done a really exemplary 'cartographical' job here, and I expect that the volume will play a crucial role in setting the agenda for philosophy of medicine over the next few years.'"

Source: British Journal for the Philosophy of Science

"An interesting overview of the main issues surrounding health and disease. Recommended.'"

Source: Choice