Morality and Health

by Allan M. Brandt, Paul Rozin (Editor)

From the castigation and stigmatization of victims of AIDS to our celebration of diet, exercise and fitness, the moral categorization of health and disease reflects contemporary notions that disease results from moral failure and that health is the representation of moral triumph. Ranging across academic disciplines and historical time periods, the essays in Morality and Health offer a compelling assessment of the powerful role of moral systems for judging the complex questions of risk and responsibility for disease, the experience of illness, and social and cultural responses to those who are sick. Contributors include Keith Thomas, Charles Rosenberg, Richard Shweder, Arthur Kleinman, David Mechanic, Nancy Tomes and Linda Gordon.

Genres: Nonfiction, Disability

432 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Public Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Where there is no blame there is no sin and hence no basis for a moral or religious crusade." - David Courtwright, "Morality, Religion and Drug Use"

What have I done to deserve this? It seems like human nature to ask that question. For as long as people have been around it has been natural to see a relationship between living a moral life and avoiding disease or misfortune.

I found this book because I was interested in the role victim-blaming plays in our current Drug War. But I got a lot more. Morality and Health is as much a book about philosophy and history as it is about medicine. I found it fascinating.

The authors examine the relationship between suffering and morality through many lenses and historical perspectives. I learned a lot about how Germ Theory transformed the modern conceptions of disease in the last century. A century ago the top killers were diarrhea and flu. Today they are heart disease and cancer. By reducing mortality through the transmission of germs the entire culture was transformed. So grew a new way of viewing death and disease. No longer was mortality a random act of chance. With heart disease or cancer it was possible to reduce one's risk by living a "healthier" life. Today that means a diet with less fat and sugar, lots of exercise, and no smoking or drugs or sleeping around. This has given way to a new secular morality that essentially says if one is not disciplined enough - it's their own fault if they get sick and die.

The old ways die hard and the new secular morality has a way of reinforcing the old views that sinners must pay for their transgressions.

I am not an academic but I found most of the essays in this volume very accessible and eye-opening. Of course I am a self-selecting audience for this book but I really enjoyed the interplay of morality and health examined here. If this sounds interesting to you, you might enjoy it too.

[Sanaa]

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