Health as a social value Cover Image

Zdrowie jako wartość ogólnospołeczna
Health as a social value

Author(s): Stefan Konstańczak
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie
Keywords: HEALTH; VALUE OF HEALTH; THE SYSTEM OF HEALTH PROTECTION; PREVENTION

Summary/Abstract: The starting point of the author is the thesis that Hipocrates’ rule: “the health of an ill person is the highest right” is not only the main rule of the conduct of medical staff but also includes a defined method of evaluation. According to the author, the consequence of such evaluation is a detailed rule “firstly, not to harm”. This rule has got a universal character and cannot only be restricted to medical staff. Healthcare is not the domain of doctors alone. It is everybody’s obligation, as it is to ensure that people don’t risk their own health or others’. In support of this approach, Władysław Tatarkiewicz’s considerations have been mentioned in the article, especially those that combine an individual sense of happiness with a state of health. In the end, the author refers to empirical research, which shows dependence on the state of health on and acquired lifestyle and points to the greater rationale of health prevention rather than institutional medical care.

  • Issue Year: 10/2012
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 23-34
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Polish