All of Health: A Philosophical Dialogue

Nicholas J. Pappas

Jul. 2018 · Algora Publishing

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In a warm and enjoyable dialogue the meaning of "health," in its fullest sense, becomes a philosophical issue as much as a biological. For isn't the essence of health a general sense of well-being? 

Health can be seen as reflecting satisfaction with our quality of life; but how do we achieve that? Here, a character who is heading off for a job teaching health has an extended conversation with a trusted mentor, and they test various definitions, various visions, and some of the infinite possibilities of the idea of health, in the process coming to a deeper and more invigorating understanding of life itself.

They arrive at the notion of symbiosis - a living together to the advantage of each. And isn't a good conversation a sort of living together to the advantage of each? In such dialogue, we engage with our hearts and minds. When are we more alive than that?

What is the peak of health if not this life, this engagement? The two friends want to know what health is. But they want more: They want to be healthy. They see three basic types of health - bodily, mental, and societal. These three types affect one another. How they affect one another matters in a critical way.

But there is more. A friendly conversation allows special access to what is critical. Our guard is down in such a conversation. We are less likely to be defensive. We are more likely to keep our minds open and clear. We are likely to feel the confidence it takes to learn.

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In the course of a larger discussion about health, a philosopher and a physician arrive at the notion of symbiosis – a living together to the advantage of each. And isn't a good conversation a sort of living together to the advantage of each? In such dialogue, we engage with our hearts and minds. When are we more alive than when so engaged?

What is the peak of health if not this life, this engagement? Physician and his friend want to know what health is. But they want more. They want to be healthy. Physician and his friend see three basic types of health – bodily, mental, and societal. These three types affect one another. How they affect one another matters, matters in a critical way. Even a friendly conversation about health – perhaps especially such a conversation – can touch on something critical.

But there is more. A friendly conversation allows special access to the critical. Our guard is down in such a conversation. We are less likely to be defensive. We are more likely to keep our minds open and clear. We are likely to feel the confidence it takes to learn.