The Concepts of Health, Disease, and Illness

1 Course Unit

This graduate course explores the philosophical concepts of health, disease, and illness, examining their historical evolution and impact on medical and bioethical debates. Through the introduction of key texts in philosophy of medicine, we will investigate how these concepts have shifted over time, from pre-scientific nosologies to modern biomedical classifications. The course will also address how racism, sexism, and moralism have influenced the definitions and perceptions of health and disease, impacting medical practices, healthcare disparities, and the medicalization of life experiences. Topics include the classification of psychiatric conditions, the boundaries between normality and pathology, and the ethical implications of contested diagnoses. Not Offered Every Year 1 Course Unit