A qualified defence of a naturalist theory of health

摘要: The paper contrasts Lennart Nordenfelt’s normative theory of health with the naturalists’ point view, especially in version developed by Christopher Boorse. In first part it defends Boorse’s analysis disease against charge that falls short its own standards not being descriptive. second sets out to analyse positive concept and introduces a distinction between definition (‘health’ is defined as absence but terms) conception (health seen an ideal). An objection account making use specific example ambitious athlete. It stated conceptualisation includes too many phenomena under umbrella ill health. ideal like danger supporting medicalization. conclusion, although altogether rejected even congruence account, claimed naturalistic framework should obtain conceptual priority.