An Introductory Philosophy Of Medicine: Humanizing Modern Medicine (philosophy And Medicine) (philosophy And Medicine)

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In this book the author explores the shifting philosophical boundaries of modern medical knowledge and practice occasioned by the crisis of quality-of-care, especially in terms of the various humanistic adjustments to the biomedical model. To that end he examines the metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical boundaries of these medical models. He begins with their metaphysics, analyzing the metaphysical positions and presuppositions and ontological commitments upon which medical knowledge and practice is founded. Next, he considers the epistemological issues that face these medical models, particularly those driven by methodological procedures undertaken by epistemic agents to constitute medical knowledge and practice. Finally, he examines the axiological boundaries and the ethical implications of each model, especially in terms of the physician-patient relationship. In a concluding Epilogue, he discusses how the philosophical analysis of the humanization of modern medicine helps to address the crisis-of-care, as well as the question of What is medicine? The book s unique features include a comprehensive coverage of the various topics in the philosophy of medicine that have emerged over the past several decades and a philosophical context for embedding bioethical discussions. The book s target audiences include both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as healthcare professionals and professional philosophers.

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Humanizing Modern Medicine An Introductory Philosophy of Medicine Philosophy and Medicine VOLUME 99 Founding Co-Editor Stuart F. Spicker Senior Editor H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr., Department of Philosophy, Rice University, and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas Associate Editor Lisa M. Rasmussen, Department of Philosophy, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina Editorial Board George J. Agich, Department of Philosophy, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio Nicholas Capaldi, College of Business Administration, Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana Edmund Erde, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford, New Jersey Christopher Tollefsen, Department of Philosophy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., President Loyola University, New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana James A. Marcum Humanizing Modern Medicine An Introductory Philosophy of Medicine James A. Marcum Baylor University TX, USA [email protected] ISBN 978-1-4020-6796-9 e-ISBN 978-1-4020-6797-6 Library of Congress Control Number: 2008921930 © 2008 Springer Science + Business Media B.V. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher, with the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Printed on acid-free paper 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 springer.com Preface Today, traditional medical knowledge and practice in the United States are modeled after and depend upon the biomedical sciences and the technology derived from them. Although the biomedical model is responsible for the “miracles” of modern medicine, it often leaves many patients disenfranchised with the American healthcare system. “In spite of remarkable advances in medical therapy and in development of fantastic diagnostic devices,” observes Franz Ingelfinger, “American society appears increasingly disenchanted with the physician” (1978, p. 9