Theory and Philosophy of Medicine - EAVP39002

• Title: Theory and Philosophy of Medicine
• Guaranteed by: Psychiatrická klinika (14-390)
• Faculty: Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen
• Actual: from 2025
• Semester: summer
• Points: 4
• E-Credits: 4
• Examination process: summer s.:
• Hours per week, examination: summer s.:0/24, C [HS]
• Capacity: unknown / unknown (40)
• Min. number of students: 5
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan
• Guarantor: Mgr. Vojtěch Linka, Ph.D.
• Comes under: Volitelné předměty, 4. ročník AVSEOB20; Volitelné předměty, 4. ročník Všeobecné; Volitelné předměty, 5. ročník AVSEOB; Volitelné předměty, 5. ročník Všeobecné

Annotation

The course is opened for both international and Czech students; passive knowledge of English is required. The
course focuses on the theoretical and philosophical foundations of medicine, covering subjects related to both the
clinical and academic competencies of future physicians. Through a series of lectures and close-reading
sessions, key concepts in medical theory will be explored. Each session will consist of two parts: a lecture
introducing the topic and a discussion of a key text relevant to the subject. Students will develop their academic
skills (close reading, discussion, argumentative skills, etc.) and gain a broad understanding of their future clinical
practice.

Last update: Křikavová Lenka, Ing. (26.03.2025)

Course completion requirements

A written assessment based on the lectures and key texts discussed during the seminar.

An oral discussion of the test.

Last update: Křikavová Lenka, Ing. (26.03.2025)

Literature

Broadbent, A., 2019, Philosophy of medicine, New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Campaner, R., 2012, Philosophy of Medicine: Causality, Evidence and Explanation, Bologna: Archetipo Libri.

Foucault, M., 1963 [1973], The Birth of the Clinic: An Archaeology of Medical Perception, New York: Pantheon.

Marcum, J. A., 2008. Humanizing Modern Medicine. An Introductory Philosophy of Medicine, Springer.

Thompson, R.P. & Upshur, R., 2017. Philosophy of medicine: an introduction, New York: Routledge.

Worrall, J., 2002, “What Evidence in Evidence-Based Medicine”, Philosophy of Science, 69: S316-330.

Last update: Křikavová Lenka, Ing. (26.03.2025)

Syllabus

1. Introduction: The course overview, information on evaluation, etc.

2. Hippocrates Strikes Back: Ancient roots of Western medicine

3. From Hysteria to COVID: The normal and the pathological from the 19th to the 21st century

4. Physicians and Patients: Social and political aspects of medicine

5. Doctor House and Jesus: cultural and religious aspects of medicine

6. Health and Disease: What is the goal of medicine?

7. Life and Death: Limits of medicine (if any)

8. Body and Mind: What do I cure?

9. Art or Science? Evidence-based medicine

10. Whom Do I Cure? The patient-centred approach

11. Who Cares? The physician in the age of AI

12. Written Assessment

Last update: Křikavová Lenka, Ing. (26.03.2025)