On Friday 28 February 2025, R.R. van der Linden will defend the doctoral thesis titled : A Pragmatist Approach to the Conceptualization of Health and Disease: Exploring new methods and perspectives.
- Promotor
- Co-promotor
- Co-promotor
- Date
- Friday 28 Feb 2025, 13:00 - 14:30
- Type
- PhD defence
- Space
- Senate Hall
- Building
- Erasmus Building
- Location
- Campus Woudestein
Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:
How should we define health and disease? This longstanding philosophical question has significant real-world consequences, shaping who receives treatment, who qualifies for social benefits, and how healthcare policies are designed. Despite decades of debate, the philosophy of medicine remains divided between naturalistic and normativist views, leaving important practical issues unresolved.
In this PhD thesis, Rik van der Linden advocates a pragmatist approach to refuel the conceptual debate. Moving beyond monistic definitions and conceptual analysis, the thesis incorporates empirical and historical research, applying frameworks such as comparative epistemology and conceptual engineering.
Through case studies on chronic pain and Positive Health, it shows how health and disease concepts are shaped by interrelated social, epistemic, and historical factors. By bridging philosophical inquiry with healthcare practice, this thesis offers fresh insights for philosophers of medicine, healthcare professionals, and policymakers alike — encouraging a more dynamic, context-sensitive approach to defining what it means to be healthy or diseased.
- More information
The public defence will begin exactly at 13.00 hrs. The doors will be closed once the public defence starts, latecomers may be able to watch on the screen outside. There is no possibility of entrance during the first part of the ceremony. Due to the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.
A live stream link has been provided to the candidate.
