Sickness and health are not objective facts, but rather a social construction containing biological, psychological and cultural aspects. Thus we draw a distinction between illness and disease. Moreover, every illness must be interpreted within the context of a biography. Fundamental religious and ideological convictions also play an important role in our interpretation of illness and suffering. Our notion of illness has changed profoundly under the influence of modern medicine. At the same time, health has been defined as the highest good with quasi religious overtones. The reverse side of this utopian notion of health is the progressive medicalisation of natural life processes. Both tendencies are problematic from a medical-ethical perspective. It is essential to counter them with the recognition that illnesses are a fundamental aspect of life. Living with illness is not only a matter of destiny but is also an ethical task. These issues are particularly significant in regard to the way we deal with chronic illnesses.

Enthalten in:
Theologische Literaturzeitung; 2005/12 Monatsschrift für das gesamte Gebiet der Theologie und Religionswissenschaft (2005)

---

Serie / Reihe: Theologische Literaturzeitung

Personen: Körtner, Ulrich H. J.

Schlagwörter: Krankheit Medizinische Ethik