2023/07/27 by Thomas Schramme · 2 citations
Arts and Humanities · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Health Professions · #Mental Health and Psychiatry #Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life #Health, psychology, and well-being
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/phe/phad017
openalex publication_date 2023/07/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Abstract The paper defends the World Health Organisation (WHO) definition of health against widespread criticism. The common objections are due to a possible misinterpretation of the word complete in the descriptor of health as ‘complete physical, mental and social well-being’. Complete here does not necessarily refer to perfect well-being but can alternatively mean exhaustive well-being, that is, containing all its constitutive features. In line with the alternative reading, I argue that the WHO definition puts forward a holistic account, not a notion of perfect health. I use historical and analytical evidence to defend this interpretation. In the second part of the paper, I further investigate the two different notions of health (holistic health and perfect health). I argue that both ideas are relevant but that the holistic interpretation is more adept for political aims.