The Dissenter

#1184 Maël Lemoine - Philosophy of Physiology: What is Disease, and What is Health?

Dec 4, 2025
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Maël Lemoine
Maël Lemoine, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Bordeaux and author of Philosophy of Physiology, delves into the intricate relationship between health and disease. He explores the divide between naturalists and normativists in defining disease and contrasts the philosophy of medicine with the philosophy of physiology. Lemoine emphasizes viewing health as an evolved trait shaped by natural phenomena, challenges traditional notions of homeostasis, and advocates for a broader understanding of pathology. His insights bridge philosophy, science, and our understanding of well-being.
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INSIGHT

Ask Why Susceptibility Persists

  • A fruitful unifying question is why organisms universally remain susceptible to disease despite evolution.
  • Lemoine proposes evolutionary explanations for disease persistence as a key research direction.
INSIGHT

Multiple Competing Disease Theories

  • Multiple general disease theories exist (genetic, infectious, geroscience, etc.), and Lemoine lists about nine in the book.
  • He stresses plural theoretical exploration rather than assuming one will explain all diseases.
INSIGHT

Frame Disease As A Natural Phenomenon

  • Calling diseases 'pathological phenomena' highlights their natural, observable status across all life forms.
  • Lemoine argues this framing supports studying disease scientifically, not only as a medical practice concept.
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