Human robustness and conscious purpose in contemporary medicine

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ask what role robustness plays in current medicine and in how far medical practices influence human robustness and thus the ability to be adapted and survive under changing conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to do this Bateson's concepts of learning and network pathologies are applied to the medical topic of immune reaction.

Findings

Current medical research does not take sufficiently into account that natural stimuli and therapeutic interventions might lead to a large‐scale of changes. This is mainly due to the lack of related epistemological tools.

Practical implications

This lack leads to a restricted validity of many medical findings. There is even some evidence that the current therapeutic approach might lead to a decline of human robustness.

Originality/value

This paper shows how systemic concepts can contribute to a deeper understanding of the therapeutic processes.

Citation

Ivanovas, G., Tomaras, V., Papadioti, V. and Paritsis, N. (2007), "Human robustness and conscious purpose in contemporary medicine", Kybernetes, Vol. 36 No. 7/8, pp. 972-984. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920710777496