Our Thoughts on Medicine and Philosophy

Abstract

PHILOSOPHY ORIGINATED FROM MEDICINE, WHILE MEDICINE NESTS IN PHILOSOPHY Wherever there are humans, exploration of the inherent relationship between humans and nature is always examined. Before rational thinking was fully developed, human beings tried to explain natural phenomena and the impact of nature on themselves using myths and primitive religions. The fear of birth and death turned into the fear of ghosts, and the doubt of pain transformed into the pursuit of witchcraft. Medicine was born out of the initial expression of human suffering and the desire to reduce the pain. To explain various phenomena, continuous exploration has become the philosophy. Philosophy is a theoretical and systematic unity of worldview and methodology, and a reflection of the relationship between thinking and being, and mind and matter, which in some way, originated in medicine. Meanwhile, medicine nests in philosophy as well. Early in human history, the role of “doctors” was played by wizards and clergy. They were believed to have magical powers to cure diseases. Over time, with the development of philosophy, medicine was gradually liberated from the illusion of sorceries and gods. The role of “doctors” was taken over by philosophers, such as Pythagoras and Empedocles, who were both a doctor and a philosopher. Meanwhile, “the language of medicine” was expressed by “the language of philosophy.” For example, Lao Tzu said, “all things leave behind them the obscurity (from which they have come), and go forward to embrace the brightness (into which they have emerged).” He thought that everything is a combination of yin and yang, and the balance between them is the balance of nature. This idea was used in the Inner Canon of Huangdi: the balance of yin and yang is the key to being healthy. PHILOSOPHICAL IDEA MENTORS MEDICAL PRACTICE, WHILE MEDICAL PRACTICE REFLECTS Medicine and philosophy are similar. Aristotle repeatedly referred to the similarities between a philosopher's and doctor's work in his writings. Medicine and philosophy are integrated. As Hippocrates mentioned, “medicine cannot be without medical truth, and philosophy cannot be without medical facts too.” Meanwhile, Chuang Tzu said, “Nature and earth are parents of all the life.” He emphasized the harmony between man and nature, and between body and mind, which is the main component of ancient Chinese medicine. In ancient China, people regarded form and spirit as an organic whole. To understand a disease, the first step is to focus on the overall change caused by local conditions. Second, philosophy also guides the development of medicine. Inspired by Thales's hypothesis that the originating principle of nature was a single material substance: water, Hippocrates proposed that “body fluid” forms the basis of human body. In addition, philosophy sets the standard of value for medical practice. An ancient Chinese saying mentions, always maintain “a sense of mercy,” know that “human life should be paramount,” and understand that “a doctor shoulders great responsibility of life and death, so never discriminate your patients based on socioeconomic status.” Hippocrates said, “Wherever there is love from mankind, there should be love from medicine” and “doctors thus should possess all noble characteristics of outstanding philosophers: altruism, kindness, and modesty.” Medicine provides a factual basis for philosophy. Empedocles proposed the “four elements” based on medical practice. Influenced by this hypothesis, Hippocrates proposed “four humors,” namely, blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile, providing a basis for pathology for the next 2000 years. BLEMISH OF PHILOSOPHICAL IDEA AND DRAWBACK OF MEDICAL PRACTICE The East and the West shared similarities in medicine and philosophy in the past: empirical medicine, holistic view, etc. However, rooted in different cultures, differences in Chinese ancient medicine and Western medicine were bred. Chinese esthetic pursues the unity of mind and matter