On the Factors which Compromise Health

Abstract

So far we have suggested definitions of the general notions of health and illness. We have stated that these are molar concepts pertaining to an individual as a whole. A subject’s health cannot be derived from an inspection of the details or the detailed functioning of his body. A person is healthy if, and only if, he has the second-order ability (given standard circumstances in his environment) to fulfill his vital goals. He is ill to various degrees if this is not the case. But what is the relation between health and the typical concepts of medicine and pathology? How are “disease”, “impairment”, “injury” and “defect” related to health and illness?