We’re all wackos – a new model of health

Abstract

Chucks out current notions on illness and health on the grounds that they are the result of a mechanistic view of reality. Points out the problems inherent in this approach – somebody somewhere has to define what is healthy and, therefore, also define the understanding of illness and what would be the appropriate treatment. Argues that an incredible amount of money is wasted trying to explain reality as we see it as something objective, whereas we should be concentrating on the fact that there is no such thing as reality which is separate from us. Points out that we need to question the framework within which the questions are asked. Explores the experience of being wrong and therefore ill. Recommends replacing notions of health and illness with a democratic process of development of awareness, which does not require arrogant experts or gurus, as it is clearly impossible to assume the knowledge of all answers and all possible awarenesses of reality.

Citation

Thornton, J. (1998), "We’re all wackos – a new model of health", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 18 No. 9/10, pp. 119-125. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443339810788542