195024

Springer, Dordrecht

2008

374 Pages

ISBN 978-1-4020-6796-9

Philosophy and medicine
vol. 99

Humanizing modern medicine

an introductory philosophy of medicine

James A Marcum

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 thesemedical 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.

"This book is the 99th issue of the Series Philosophy and Medicine…and it can be considered a crown of thirty years of intensive and dynamic discussion in the field. We are completely convinced that after its publication, it can be finally said that undoubtedly the philosophy of medicine exists as a special field of inquiry."

Publication details

Full citation:

Marcum, (2008). Humanizing modern medicine: an introductory philosophy of medicine, Springer, Dordrecht.

Table of Contents

Medical worldviews

Marcum James A

17-31

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Medical causation and realism

Marcum James A

33-48

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Patient as body or person

Marcum James A

49-61

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Diagnosis and therapeutics

Marcum James A

79-93

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Medical thinking

Marcum James A

97-119

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Clinical judging and decision making

Marcum James A

121-135

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Medical explanations

Marcum James A

137-152

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Diagnostic knowledge

Marcum James A

153-169

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Therapeutic knowledge

Marcum James A

171-185

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Medical axiology and values

Marcum James A

189-205

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Patient-physician relationships

Marcum James A

277-299

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