Abstract:
Through the use of historical and cross-cultural examples, ideas of ‘psychosomatic’ and ‘holistic’ medicine are explored and clarified. The relationship between scientific, lay and indigenous theories of health and illness and healing practices are explored. Traditional academic dismissal or scepticism of ‘non-scientific’ theories and practices is challenged. By replacing the metaphysics of Descartes with the theory that he sought to overthrow - Aristotle's theory of psyche - we achieve a clearer insight into the possibilities of psychosomatic medicine. This also renders less problematic the experimental evidence linking illness and personality. The implications for the doctor-patient relationship are examined, bringing to bear the concept of transference originated by Freud, and the principle that all successful healing ultimately depends upon the inherent capacity of patients to heal themselves. The place of psychotherapy in medical practice, the doctor's response to strong emotion in the patient, and ideals of both parties concerning the doctor-patient relationship are the subject matter of a questionnaire survey described in the final chapter.
