This is a book about the concept of disease and the philosophy  of diagnosis. The author proposes `value-dependent realism' as a way  to show how value judgements can be foundational for the practice of  diagnosis without losing the sense that diseases are real entities. In  the light of contemporary philosophy of science, the idea that there  is a strict separation between fact and value is no longer tenable.  Hence, all scientific facts have a value component. The concept of  disease is itself a value-laden concept. Furthermore, when we create  classifications of disease, we introduce more values. Finally, the  diagnostic process necessarily involves making value judgments. This  book situates the practice of diagnosis in a new vision of how values  permeate the world of disease and medical practice. It will be of  interest to philosophers of medicine, value theorists, bioethicists,  and physicians.

Disease and Diagnosis: Value-Dependent Realism (Philosophy and Medicine) PDF

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