Disease – Objective Disorder of the System or a Theoretical Construct?

In this paper I refer to discussion between objectivism and constructivism in relation to the concept of disease. I am presenting the highly objective position of Boorse, pointing to its weakness that generally affects all objectivist theories, especially a problem with an indication of an objective definition of normal body function. In the end – in line with the position of the constructivists – I am questioning the possibility of disease as an objective disorder of normal body function. In the final section I propose an approach to illness, considering it as a useful heuristic in medical practice, describing essentially repetitive state of the body, which is the result of biological processes.

Disease – Objective Disorder of the System or a Theoretical Construct?

In this paper I refer to discussion between objectivism and constructivism in relation to the concept of disease. I am presenting the highly objective position of Boorse, pointing to its weakness that generally affects all objectivist theories, especially a problem with an indication of an objective definition of normal body function. In the end – in line with the position of the constructivists – I am questioning the possibility of disease as an objective disorder of normal body function. In the final section I propose an approach to illness, considering it as a useful heuristic in medical practice, describing essentially repetitive state of the body, which is the result of biological processes.