On Facing Human Suffering

摘要: Suffering is an intrinsic part of the human condition, in accord with our fragility and contingency, as such, needs to be faced. Early medical tradition addressed issue, contemporary clinicians continue grapple it. Cassell contributed richly understanding his definition that suffering maybe defined, operationally at least, a sense impending personal disintegration, which may be, common parlance, being about go pieces. It particular responsibility not merely try understand but also relieve (at least attributable disease), view person means are evident. analyses reasons for manifest failure, even centres excellence. An adequate what we mean by ‘person’ sources coherence, remains essential elusive. A relational deliberate attention restoration, maintenance strengthening constitutive relationships—to other persons, history, place cultural inheritance—may fruitful direction action, together care encourage articulation realistic hope. Clinical science surely natural science.